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Chelsea reached the League Cup quarter-finals but had to call for reinforcements to beat League Two Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday.
Didier Drogba gave Chelsea the lead but the match looked to be heading for extra time when Shrewsbury's Andy Mangan swivelled to fire past keeper Petr Cech with 13 minutes to play.
Nemanja Matic and Willian were promptly summoned from the bench to help quell the uprising and the latter's superb cross caused panic in the defensive ranks and Jermaine Grandison turned the ball into his own net.
Shrewsbury offered little thereafter and the Blues held on for a laboured victory.
Scroll through the gallery to see our ratings
Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratingsShow all 11 1 /11Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings Petr Cech Strong save from Knight-Percival header as the hosts took the game to Chelsea. Cech had an otherwise quiet night on his return to the starting XI. 6/10
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Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings Andreas Christensen Quality of opponent aside, Christensen looked impressive at right-back. The seasoned centre-back took to his role well and got forward. He looked composed on the ball and had a keen eye for a pass. 7
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Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings Kurt Zouma Tigerish in the tackle and impressive as he snuffed out Shrewsbury attacks. Still raw, but was a towering presence at the back and could easily establish a first-team role in years to come. 6
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Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings Gary Cahill Will have been disappointed to have conceded from a corner, but marshalled Akpa-Akpro well all evening and took control of his partnership with Zouma. 6
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Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings Filipe Luis Never shied away from receiving possession and laid it off well, proved a wall as Shrewsbury sought a route to goal down the right. Got forward as Chelsea searched for a winner and sent in some clever crosses from the left. 7
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Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings Nathan Ake Reckless lunge on Grant in the first period, but looked assured in possession thereafter and showed no signs he was out of his depth. A classy performance. 7
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Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings John Obi Mikel Outshone by midfield partner Ake on his 200th domestic start for Chelsea. At fault for the hosts goal as he couldn't react quickly enough to clear lines. 6
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Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings Mohamed Salah Good pace down right and proved Chelsea's best outlet in the first-half. Three times wasteful with wild efforts on his left foot, but set up the opener with a classy touch. 6
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Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings Andre Schurrle Very wasteful in front of goal from start to finish, but always felt he had the potential to unlock the hosts' defence and played a key part in the build-up to Chelsea's opener. 6
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Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings Oscar Couldn't find the final ball as Chelsea toiled in the first period, but picked out Willian well as Chelsea re-established their lead with 10 minutes to go. 6
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Shrewsbury vs Chelsea - player ratings Didier Drogba Fine ball for Salah to send Chelsea on the break in the first half, and timed his run perfectly to sweep home the opener, before pressuring Grandison into OG winner. Three in three for the Ivorian. 8
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