Chelsea weathered a tumultuous evening off the pitch and an early Luton onslaught to twice come from behind and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 fifth-round victory at Kenilworth Road.

Roman Abramovich confirmed his intention to sell Chelsea an hour before kick-off, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the seismic news unsettled Thomas Tuchel’s side, who were behind after 102 seconds as Reece Burke’s glancing header gave Luton the dream start.

Chelsea settled as the half progressed and deservedly drew level when Saul Niguez curled home a fine equaliser (27), but back roared Luton as Harry Cornick rounded off a brilliant team goal to restore the hosts’ lead five minutes before the break.

Luton’s deputy goalkeeper Harry Isted, who replaced the injured Jed Steer early on, made a number of saves to keep the sides level, and just when it looked like Chelsea were in full control, they were caught by a sucker-punch when Harry Cornick was released behind the visitors’ high-line and finished with aplomb, as Luton led at half-time.

The pendulum swung when Timo Werner drew Chelsea level again in the 67th minute, racing onto Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s raking ball, controlling beautifully and stabbing home.

It had been a frustrating night for Lukaku, but the Belgium international popped up with the winner when he gambled with a run to the near post and flicked home from Werner’s teasing cross.

Chelsea’s relief was evident at the final whistle as they passed a gruelling test and they can now look forward to Thursday night’s draw.

Photo Credit: ChelseaFC/Twitter

Franck Kessie is reportedly on the verge of signing for Barcelona, in a blow to Manchester United.

The AC Milan star’s San Siro contract is set to expire this summer, sparking plenty of interest from around Europe.

United are keen on Kessie, while Tottenham would also like to secure his signature.

But according to Spanish paper Sport, Barca have won the race for the 25-year-old’s signature.

They claim that Kessie has chosen to snub offers from England in order to join the LaLiga giants.

Xavi’s side are said to be scouring the free agent market, as they did last year by recruiting Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed how his players reacted to the news that the club is being sold by Roman Abramovich.

Abramovich released a bombshell statement just over an hour before the Blues’ FA Cup clash with Luton Town confirming he has decided to sell the club.

Tuchel had already given his pre-match interviews before the news broke but was inevitably asked for his thoughts after watching his side come from behind to beat Luton 3-2.

“Maybe I heard it a little bit earlier than you but still it was very, very close to the kick-off,” the German told BBC Sport.

“We had the rumours throughout the day and it’s on TV and, of course, when we have team meetings and we eat together the guys talk about it, everybody talks about it.

“It is big news. Let’s wait and see for the best and see what the day brings.”

Asked if it is the right decision, he said. “I think every decision he takes is the right decision. It’s his choice, his club and it’s not for me to comment.”

Asked what it means for the club, Tuchel responded: “Even if I want to answer, I don’t exactly know it.

“In the very short term i think for us as a team, staff and players, hopefully not too much, maybe it will change nothing.

“But the situation is now out there, it is a big situation so I can understanding there will be a lot of reports.

“But we’ll do what we try to do, to cancel the noise and to stay focused which is not always easy.

“We showed again today we are able to do it and we try again on Saturday.”

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has announced his decision to sell the West London club.

The 55-year-old, who has owned Chelsea since 2003, distanced himself from the club over the weekend by handing over his ‘stewardship and care’ to the trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation.

The UK Government has faced calls to freeze Abramovich’s assets, as well as anyone who allegedly has ties with Vladimir Putin, as part of its sanctions against Russia.

The Russian billionaire said: “It pains me to part with the Club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the Club”.

“I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you.

“I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. I have taken the decision to SELL the Club”.

“I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners”.

Abramovich added that net proceeds from the sale of the club will be donated to a foundation “for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine”.

Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has claimed he has been offered the chance to buy the club.

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has had his assets frozen and been handed an EU travel ban over the invasion of Ukraine in a move that could affect Everton.

A number of countries and organisations, including the EU, have laid down sanctions against Russia over the invasion.

The former part-owner of Arsenal has commercial ties to Everton.

And now Premier League Everton may find themselves caught up in it due to USM Holding, the company that sponsors their training ground.

It is owned by Alisher Usmanov and he has now had his assets frozen by the EU as well as a travel ban.

An EU Council statement said: “Alisher Usmanov is a pro-Kremlin oligarch with particularly close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.”

It added that he “actively supported materially or financially Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilisation of Ukraine”.

On Tuesday, Usmanov made a statement on the website of the International Fencing Federation, an organisation of which he is president, calling the EU’s decision to impose restrictions on him “unfair”.

He said he would “use all legal means to protect my honour and reputation”.

The EU has frozen the assets and imposed a travel ban on more than half a dozen of Russia’s most prominent oligarchs, including Mikhail Fridman, Igor Sechin, Nikolai Tokarev, and now Alisher Usmanov.

Photo Credit: TheEvertonEnd/Twitter

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly offered Real Madrid and Liverpool target Kylian Mbappe a new deal worth an eye-watering £800,000-a-WEEK.

Get French Football News claims PSG chiefs are desperate for Mbappe to stay at the Parc des Princes.

The World Cup winner, 23, is out of contract this summer. And having so far resisted calls to pen an extension, Mbappe looks set to become a free agent.

Real Madrid are leading the race for his coveted signature. Meanwhile, Liverpool are also plotting an incredible swoop to bring Mbappe to England.

However, PSG are making one last desperate play to keep Mbappe – for two more seasons, at least.

They have apparently offered the striker a new contract until 2024, which means Mbappe could yet secure a lucrative move abroad before he enters his prime years.

Manchester United are said to be tracking Southampton’s 19-year-old right-back Tino Livramento.

The teenager has enjoyed an impressive season since Saints raided Chelsea for the defender last summer.

An attack-minded full-back, Livramento has recently regained his place in the Southampton side after a month out with injury.

The right-back spot has troubled Ralf Rangnick since he took charge at Old Trafford with Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof all being tried in the position.

Flourent Malouda revealed he almost signed for Liverpool – before later joining Chelsea.

The former winger was coached by Gerard Houllier at the time and was nearly convinced by make a switch to Anfield.

Speaking exclusively to Genting Casino, Malouda said: “Gerard Houllier was my coach.

“Whenever I was training, I would always ask him questions about the Premier League and whether or not I play there.

“He said you have to go and experience the Premier League at least once in your career and then he grabbed his phone and called Liverpool – he literally made the deal for me.”

Liverpool were coached by Rafa Benitez at the time, who was keen on signing Malouda.

He revealed: “Liverpool were the first team to make an offer. Rafa was the coach and he really pushed for me to go to Liverpool.”

The Frenchman eventually joined Chelsea for £13m move in 2007.

Malouda said: “When Chelsea came in for me, I felt so much pride.

“I knew a lot of the players that were already there, and of course we would speak regularly on the phone, which helped my decision, so I knew Chelsea were the club that I really wanted to join.”

Chelsea have been plunged into chaos after some of the trustees charged with taking control of the club from Roman Abramovich threatened to stand down, according to reports.

The Russian billionaire owner, 55, handed stewardship of the Blues to the six-strong charitable group over the weekend.

Chairman Bruce Buck, women’s manager Emma Hayes, John Devine, Sir Hugh Robertson, Paul Ramos and Piara Powar make up the group.

According to the BBC, via The Sun, members of new leadership met on Sunday to discuss the situation.

And Abramovich’s plan may now be on the brink of collapse after The Telegraph claimed ‘some of the trustees could quit their post’ amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

On Monday, reports claimed Abramovich was trying to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine following last week’s invasion and the ongoing war.

Despite that, the Telegraph states Chelsea’s trustees are set for more meetings this week and that some ‘may not remain in place’.

The report claims at least TWO of the six ‘have raised concerns privately amid suggestions they will be compromised’.

It also reveals ‘individual issues of conflict of interest have been voiced as well as wider worries over whether running a football club as part of the foundation could be compatible with charity law’.

Should some of the trustees step away from the role, Chelsea will either continue with the plan without them as a smaller group, replace those who leave or scrap the plan and re-think entirely.

Last week, Abramovich released a statement revealing he would take a step back for the sake of the club.