Paul Merson admits Tosin Adarabioyo’s first goal for Chelsea in the FA Cup third-round clash against Morecambe FC on Saturday was a ‘fluke’.
Adarabioyo opened the scoring in the 5-0 win at Stamford Bridge in the 39th minute following what was a huge slice of luck against the League Two side.
His strike from just outside the box took a massive deflection off Morecambe defender Callum Jones, giving Chelsea a 1-0 lead.
Morecambe goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne – having a strong game up to that point – was diving to his right and it seemed he would get to it comfortably.
But with the ball hitting the behind of defender Jones, the ball flew into the far post to break the deadlock in a cruel moment for the underdogs.
Former Arsenal midfielder Merson, a big Chelsea fan who now works as a football pundit, watched it all unfold on Sky Sports News.
‘Chelsea have hit the front, but what a fluke it is,’ Merson said. ‘Tosin gets the ball about 25 yards out.
‘He comes forward, he hits it, it takes a massive deflection. Burgoyne goes one way, the ball goes in the net the other way.
‘He has no chance of stopping it. Really disappointing for Morecambe, who have done really well. It’s just a massive deflected shot off the [defender’s] backside.’
Adarabioyo scored a second time after the break – marking his third overall goal for the club since he arrived in the summer as a free agent – with Merson describing that one as a ‘worldie’.
Meanwhile, in the first half, Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku saw a penalty dramatically saved by Morecambe goalkeeper Burgoyne.
Burgoyne was ‘well off his line’, according to Merson, but got away with it as there was no VAR in play.
Nkunku ended up getting the last laugh, though, finding the back of the net in the second half.
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