Willian scored twice as holders Chelsea advanced to the FA Cup fifth round with a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, though Tottenham crashed out with a 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace.
Chelsea midfielder Willian. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Callum Hudson-Odoi started despite reportedly submitting a transfer request in an effort to force through a move to Bayern Munich ahead of Friday's transfer deadline and the 18-year-old winger netted Chelsea's second after 64 minutes.
Until that moment, an official sitting in a booth 20km away had been the most influential person on the contest, despite the fact Gonzalo Higuain was making his Chelsea debut.
Wednesday had a penalty overturned by VAR official Graham Scott after 22 minutes and Chelsea then had a spot-kick awarded four minutes later, Willian converting from the spot.
Willian added a late third as the Blues advanced to the fifth round.
Higuain made his first appearance and Hudson-Odoi potentially his last as Chelsea made eight changes following last Thursday's win over Tottenham which saw them advance to the Carabao Cup final.
Wednesday's defence offered up a greater resistance than the England batting line-up their incoming boss Steve Bruce has witnessed in the Caribbean.
Bruce insisted on fulfilling his promise to go on a family holiday following the death of both his parents last year and watched England's 381-run first Test loss in Barbados ahead of taking up his role at Hillsborough from Friday.
Chelsea scored their second when Andreas Christensen's long pass found Hudson- Odoi and struck a shot which deceived Westwood. His second Chelsea goal could be his last.
Chelsea had a third when Willian played a one-two with Olivier Giroud and passed the ball in.
Tottenham Hotspur went out of their second domestic cup competition in four days as Crystal Palace's Connor Wickham and Andros Townsend struck first-half goals to secure a 2-0 FA Cup victory in a lively clash.
Spurs had their woes compounded in a dismal opening period when Kieran Trippier shot wide from the penalty spot after Patrick van Aanholt brought down Juan Foyth.
Spurs are still waiting for their first silverware under Pochettino, and first trophy since beating Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final.
-Reuters
