Chelsea progressed to the quarter final of the English FA Cup following a 1 – 0 win at Barnsley on Thursday.
Tammy Abraham tapped home the winner in the 64th minute to book a book a home quarter-final against Sheffield United, but Barnsley created the better chances.
Despite securing a fourth consecutive victory in his first five games in charge of the west London club, Thomas Tuchel admitted he was relieved to see his side secure the victory in keenly contested encounter.
When asked if he was a relieved man after his side’s below-par display, the former Paris St Germain boss said: “I have to be honest, yes.
“We can stop the analysis. What is done is done. Chelsea are through to the quarter-finals.
“We can clearly play better. That’s not our best performance. To cope with the difficulties today, it was hard for us to cope with the (Barnsley) pressure.”
Abraham also rescued Chelsea at the other end soon after he had forced the breakthrough, heading the ball off his own goal-line to keep out Barnsley substitute Michael Sollbauer’s effort.
Tuchel admitted Abraham had made all the difference, adding: “In a story like this clearly, yes.
“He scores decisive goals in cup games and of course the stop on the line was crucial for us. It’s good for him because for strikers it’s important to score.”
Barnsley were unlucky not to be in front at half-time after Callum Brittain twice went close to giving the Sky Bet Championship side the lead.
His close-range shot forced a superb reaction save from Kepa Arrizabalaga and another goalbound effort was deflected wide.
