Hello and welcome to live coverage of Arno Michels’ post-match press conference following Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Plymouth.

The Blues went into the game without head coach Thomas Tuchel, who tested positive for Covid last night and will not travel with the first team to Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup this afternoon.

The Chelsea head coach, wherever he looked, would not have enjoyed the performance produced alongside him. The Blues were lackluster from the first whistle and rightly fell behind from the start.

Former Blue Jordan Houghton kicked a free kick into the box and defender Macaulay Gillesphey was on hand to peek home to give the Pilgrims a shock advantage.

Chelsea pushed and eventually equalized when Cesar Azpilicueta converted a Mason Mount cross with a clever back heel. But rather than the Blues relying on that goal, their display has remained flat.

They couldn’t find a winner in the second half and the game ended in extra time, during which Marcos Alonso eventually put the home side ahead with a close-range finish.

There was still late drama after Plymouth were awarded a late penalty, but Kepa saved Ryan Hardie’s effort to send Chelsea through in the fifth round.

We’re able to get Arno Michels’ post-match thoughts. Updates will appear below.