Conor Gallagher’s goal for Chelsea against Leeds United in the fifth round of the FA Cup last night was quite a significant one.
It obviously put Chelsea 3-2 up and sent them into the quarter-finals of the competition, while it may have also saved Mauricio Pochettino‘s job.
Pochettino has come under increasing pressure following his side’s loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final last weekend, with it being reported that Chelsea are already looking at potential candidates to replace him. However, Conor Gallagher‘s goal was also significant because it was the Blues’ first 90th-minute winner in an FA Cup match since John Terry‘s in 2002, according to Opta.
The former Chelsea captain bagged a winner against West Ham United and no player from the club has done the same in normal time since then.
As a reward, Pochettino’s men will take on Leicester City in the quarter-finals at home. Hopefully they do not leave it that late again to win the match!
Conor Gallagher’s winner against Leeds
Gallagher’s goal versus Daniel Farke’s side means he has now scored three times in his last five games, which is a great return for a midfielder.
The Englishman netted in the previous round of the FA Cup before grabbing a brace against his former club Crystal Palace.
It was at Palace where Gallagher was really starting to develop into a midfielder capable of scoring goals.
He spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Selhurst Park and managed to net eight times in the Premier League, which is pretty impressive for a young midfielder. To put that into perspective, Chelsea’s leading scorer in the top flight last term was Kai Havertz, who was the team’s main No.9, with seven goals.
If Gallagher can continue chipping in with goals for Chelsea, then he could end up becoming the perfect No.8.
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