Rovers stormed into the Fourth Round of the 2023-24 Carabao Cup for the second successive season following a barnstorming 5-2 victory at home over fellow Championship side, Cardiff City in the Third Round.
A first Ewood goal for Arnór Sigurðsson, including an Andrew Moran brace, was supported by a Jake Garrett opener and a Dilan Markanday second-half finish saw Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side overcome the in-form Bluebirds in East Lancashire, with Rovers returning to winning ways in style.
The draw for the Fourth Round occurred live on Sky Sports, following Newcastle United’s surprise 1-0 victory against last season’s treble winners, Manchester City, as the last 16 teams who had qualified all readied themselves to see who they’d be handed ties against.
With the draw being a free-for-all between the remaining sides, with no geographical or continental restrictions, Rovers – ball #10 in the draw – were given an away tie against summer spenders, Chelsea who were dumped out of this competition in the Third Round by Pep Guardiola’s side. The clash is set to take place at Stamford Bridge, on the week commencing 30th October, with a confirmed date to be set in the near future, along with ticket information.
Rovers and Chelsea do have history in this competition, with the East Lancashire side emerging triumphant in the last meeting between the sides in this competition back in December 2009, when Sam Allardyce’s side beat Carlo Ancelotti’s soon-to-be Premier League champions on penalties, 4-3, following a thrilling 3-3 draw at Ewood Park, in Round Five. Whilst the clubs haven’t met since Rovers’ last Premier League game before relegation in 2012, they did also face the Blues in this competition back in 2006, when José Mourinho’s star-studded side beat Mark Hughes’ side 2-0, in East Lancashire.
