13/10/1999  Huddersfield 1 Chelsea 0 

Kenny Irons scored a stunning goal to flatten Chelsea and 
claim a famous Worthington Cup scalp for First Division 
Huddersfield.

The 28-year-old summer signing from Tranmere struck after 
77 minutes with a spectacular drive from 30-yards.

Irons' goal - his fourth of the season - was the first to 
be scored by a visiting team at Stamford Bridge this season, 
and earned Steve Bruce's Terriers a fourth-round clash with 
Wimbledon.

Although Chelsea had the better of a tight first half, 
Huddersfield were the hungrier team after the break and 
deserved to nick the victory.

It might have been a more impressive win for the team who 
are sixth in the First Division, but Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo 
Cudicini made important saves from George Donis and Craig 
Armstrong shortly before the goal.

Gianluca Vialli claimed in his programme notes that he was 
particularly fond of this competition and that it gave him 
good memories.

Yet the Blues boss still made 10 changes to the team which 
played in Chelsea's last match, the 5-0 humbling of Manchester 
United.

Only centre half Jes Hogh survived, although the team still 
included the international quality of Graeme Le Saux, Tore 
Andre Flo and Roberto Di Matteo - making his first start of 
the season following an ankle operation.

Not only does this competition come well down the list of 
Chelsea's priorities this season, but there is also the matter 
of who the Blues play in their next four matches.

Their formidable fixture list reads: Liverpool away in the 
Premiership, Galatasaray away in the Champions League, Arsenal 
at home in the Premiership and AC Milan away in the Champions 
League.

Huddersfield certainly weren't being outclassed and their 
travelling fans were at least out-shouting the home support in 
the smallest crowd of the season of 21,000.

Chelsea showed their first threat after four minutes when a 
beautiful cross-field pass from Bjarne Goldbaek released 
Gabriele Ambrosetti on the left flank.

He cut inside and teed-up Jody Morris on the edge of the 
box, but his drive was charged down by skipper Chris 
Lucketti.

Then after 11 minutes Bernard Lambourde broke down the 
right, spotted Nico Vaesen off his line and turned his cross 
into a shot which grazed the crossbar with the goalkeeper 
beaten.

Donis looked lively down the right after being preferred to 
Scott Sellars, and after 31 minutes he swung in a corner from 
the right and Chris Beech was so surprised to get a free 
header at the near post that he nodded it wide.

Chelsea broke forward and a minute later Forssell forced a 
good save from Vaesen when he was fed by Ambrosetti and 
unleashed a fierce shot-on-the-turn.

The pace suddenly increased and it became end-to-end. First 
Kenny Irons made a surging run for Huddersfield but shot 
poorly at Hogh's leg, then Flo tried his luck from long range 
but failed to trouble Vaesen.

Former Chelsea defender Ken Monkou was presented with a 
crystal vase before kick-off as a thank-you for the 119 games 
he played for the Blues. But he was giving nothing back in 
return as he stuck tightly to Flo.

With Flo subdued, Forssell came close to making a big 
impression three minutes after the break. Hogh joined the 
attack and hooked the ball across the face of the goal to the 
far post. Ambrosetti put in a first time cross and Forssell 
got in a good header which the keeper pushed on to the 
post.

Forssell wasted another good chance just five minutes later 
when Goldbaek delivered a deep cross from the right and the 
young Finnish striker headed high and wide.

A minute later Huddersfield carved out their best opening 
so far. Wijnhard raced down the right, got round the back and 
squared the ball for Dean Gorre, but he seemed off-balance as 
he screwed his shot well wide.

Chelsea fans are used to seeing exciting free kicks and in 
the absence of Gianfranco Zola it was left to veteran Irons to 
provide a thrill after 58 minutes.

Hogh was booked for fouling Wijnhard on the edge of the box 
and Irons flashed the free kick over the wall and inches wide 
of the goalkeeper's right hand post.

Moments later, Wijnhard had the ball in the back of the 
net, but he hadn't heard the referee's whistle pulling him up 
for offside, and he was unlucky to go into Rob Styles' black 
book.

The referee was clamping down on everything and Donis was 
also booked after 63 minutes for kicking the ball away after 
conceding a free kick. He was the fifth player to have his 
name taken in a game which was hardly dirty.

The crowd were brought to their feet after 64 minutes by an 
outrageous piece of skill from Chelsea play-maker Morris. The 
England Under-21 midfield man spotted Vaesen off his line and 
tried his luck David Beckham style from 45 yards. Luckily for 
Huddersfield, the goalkeeper recovered to fingertip the ball 
over the bar as he fell backwards.

Wijnhard had Premiership experience with Leeds last season 
and the Dutchman was unlucky after 71 minutes when he turned 
Hogh and drilled a low shot inches wide.

But it didn't matter, as three minutes later Irons picked 
up a loose ball in midfield, ran on and unleashed a memorable 
shot to seal a historic cup victory.