Chelsea travelled to Oakwell stadium in a bid to book their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with a home tie against Premier League strugglers Sheffield United awaiting the winner.
In Thomas Tuchel’s debut in the competition, he made an array of changes across the board in order to assess some of the fringe players in the squad.
It was a laboured performance from the Blues in a tie which proved trickier than many first thought.
Here’s how each player performed:
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7
The Spaniard looked assured on his return to first-team football, most notably saving from point-blank range in the opening ten minutes to deny Barnsley taking the lead.
His footwork was sharp, and he was confident coming for crosses, although was bailed out by Tammy Abraham heading off the line late on.
Marcos Alonso – 5
Deployed in left centre-back, he wasn’t greatly involved in the game before being hauled off at half time, falling victim to a switch in formation. The benefit of this is he’ll be fresh for Monday’s fixture at home to Newcastle, should he be selected.
Kurt Zouma – 6
A comfortable return to the starting eleven for Zouma, having been frozen out since Tuchel’s arrival at the club. He remained relatively unchallenged throughout and looked comfortable in possession. All in all, a decent performance against lesser opposition.
Andreas Christensen – 6
Another of Tuchel’s half-time substitutions, Christensen also remained untroubled during his spell on the pitch. It is unclear if he was substituted due to the tactical switch or as a result of taking a boot to the head in an attempt to perform a John Terry-esque headed tackle.
Emerson – 6
The full-back’s game time has been non-existent since Tuchel took the reins, with the head coach preferring to tinker with Alonso and Ben Chilwell instead. He offered a solid out-ball on the left flank but perhaps could have given more going forward.
Being third in the pecking order when it comes to the Premier League, and the Blues now advancing to the latter stages of the FA Cup, he now could well have seen the last of his action for the season.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 7.5
Chelsea’s brightest attacking spark looked sharp and caused the Barnsley defence all kinds of problems. CHO was moved forward from wing-back to winger in the second half and could often be seen with two or three home players surrounding him, such was their concern. He dragged a shot just wide on the 60-minute mark and looked lively throughout.
Billy Gilmour – 6.5
With the exception of one or two errors which could perhaps be attributed to the playing surface, the midfield prodigy looked as tidy as ever. Always on the front foot, he looked to link play quickly in a bid to beat Barnsley’s surprisingly well-drilled and effective press.
Gilmour most likely didn’t do enough to trouble Tuchel’s preference of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic during a tricky tie, but his performance would’ve impressed his new boss.
N’Golo Kante – 6.5
Taking the Captain’s armband for the evening, Kante slotted back into the middle of the park with the same consistent reliability which personifies him. He dealt well with Barnsley’s press and won the ball back quickly for the Blues when they fell foul to it.
As the game became scrappier late on, Kante was key to ensuring Chelsea remained the stronger side by retaining possession.
Hakim Ziyech – 4
It was an evening to forget for the Moroccan. Ziyech didn’t look sharp at all and often cut a frustrated figure, bullied off the ball by the home side, with his passes uncharacteristically wayward. Yesterday, Tuchel said tonight would be the perfect opportunity for the winger to show his best – it turned out to be nearer the opposite.
★ Tammy Abraham – 8
Chelsea’s man of the match on the night, Abraham proved to be a key figure at both ends. His movement is often so sharp in the box and he showed this again tonight, bursting forward over 30 yards to tap in the decisive goal from a Reece James square-pass.
Late on, he strained to brilliantly head Michael Sollbauer’s effort off the line after Arrizabalaga flapped at the cross. He was also robbed of a penalty which would have been given had VAR been involved.
Christian Pulisic – 4
Chelsea’s best player in project restart last season really can’t find any form this season. The American was hardly involved and seemed isolated out wide; it seems a surprise to think he was on the pitch for 80 minutes before being replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
His performance tonight has given Tuchel no headache when it comes to dropping Mason Mount and Timo Werner on Monday.
Substitutes
Antonio Rudiger – 6, Reece James – 7.5, Tino Anjorin – 6.5, Mateo Kovacic – N/A
Overall, it was a rather poor performance from Chelsea who will be happy to have avoided any kind of upset.
It was a decent exercise for the fringe players but, with the exception of Abraham, nobody particularly staked a massive claim to challenge the current starting eleven.
While the match will remain very unmemorable, it brings the Blues one step closer to silverware this season.
