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For the first time in almost 20 years, Chelsea will play against historic Sheffield Wednesday, one of the world’s oldest association football clubs. Not since April 2000, Wim Jonk’s penalty beating Vialli’s Blues, have we played the Owls, who’ve been under interim management since Christmas — Steve Bruce, last seen getting cabbage thrown at him at Aston Villa, will be taking over officially on February 1, four days after this fixture.
Wednesday had managed only a 0-0 draw against third division Luton Town in the third round of the FA Cup, so when the draw was made for the fourth round, we did not know which of the two will be coming to Stamford Bridge. A 1-0 win the replay, with Chelsea loanee Michael Hector featuring for all 90 minutes on the left side of a back-three, has assured Wednesday’s place. It was just their fifth win in all competitions since October.
Chelsea vs. Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup fourth round is scheduled for Sunday, January 27, with a 6pm kick-off.