- Martin Samuelsen appeared for Peterborough United in Emirates FA Cup defeat at Chelsea
- Norwegian teenager enjoying his second loan spell with London Road club
- Josh Cullen assists both goals as Bradford City strengthen League One promotion challenge
West Ham United loanee Martin Samuelsen relished the opportunity to test himself against the best as his Peterborough United side took on Chelsea.
The Norway winger was a second-half substitute as the League One side gave a decent account of themselves before falling to a 4-1 Emirates FA Cup third-round defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Samuelsen was introduced in the 58th minute with Antonio Conte’s side leading 3-0. John Terry was then sent-off before Tom Nichols pulled a goal back for Posh, but Pedro’s second of the game made the game safe for the Blues.
“I was just learning from playing with the best,” said the 19-year-old, who made 20 loan appearances for Peterborough last season before returning to London Road for a second temporary spell at the start of January. “Chelsea are a good team and passed the ball well and even with ten men they did the same.
“I think in the beginning we had chances to score at nil-nil, but that’s the difference between the best and the other teams. They are more clinical and they scored their chances and we didn’t.”
Samuelsen made a name for himself during his first loan stint with Peterborough and jumped at the chance of returning to the League One club, where his manager is former Hammer Grant McCann.
With Posh just outside the Play-Off places, the teenager is looking forward to playing a central role in the Cambridgeshire club’s promotion challenge.
“I’m enjoying myself,” he confirmed. “I’ve been here for two games now and played for 90 minutes in the first game [in a 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe United] and got 35 at Stamford Bridge, so it’s been good so far.
“I know Peterborough and it was one of the main reasons I came here again. I know the manager, the players and the coaching staff and they’ve got a good thing going."
In the Football League, midfielder Josh Cullen was in outstanding form yet again as Bradford City beat Chesterfield 2-0 to climb to fourth in the League One table. The Republic of Ireland U21 international set up both goals for the Bantams in front of a bumper 17,416-strong crowd at Valley Parade.
George Dobson was an unused substitute as Walsall fell 2-0 at home to Rochdale in the same division.
In League Two, Jaanai Gordon played for 55 minutes but was unable to prevent bottom side Newport County falling to a 3-1 defeat at mid-table Stevenage.
Finally, Sam Howes enjoyed a superb debut for Hampton & Richmond Borough, making a series of fine saves as the Beavers came from behind to draw 1-1 at Bath City in National League South.