Chelsea booked their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a 5-0 success over League Two outfit Morecambe at Stamford Bridge.
Both Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix netted braces, while Christopher Nkunku also registered on what was a comfortable afternoon for the Premier League outfit.
The breakthrough came in the latter stages of the first period, with Adarabioyo's strike from distance taking a deflection before ending up in the back of the net, as Morecambe were undone just before the half-time break.
Nkunku had been denied from the penalty spot by Morecambe goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne in the first half, but the attacker got his name on the scoresheet early in the second period when he fired into the back of the net from inside the box.
Adarabioyo's second was a real stunner from outside the box, before Felix added two himself in the latter stages, with Morecambe being hit for five in the English capital.
Chelsea are the third-most successful side in the history of the FA Cup, winning the competition on eight occasions; they have not triumphed since 2018 but will certainly be among the favourites for this season's title.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
It was always going to be tough for Morecambe to get a result at Stamford Bridge; they frustrated Chelsea for long spells of the first half, but the breakthrough came late in the opening period, and the Blues found a different gear after the interval.
Chelsea are the big favourites to win the Conference League this season, with that competition representing their best chance of silverware, but the Blues should also be serious challengers for the FA Cup considering the strength of their squad.
A second-string outfit was far too strong for Morecambe, but the visitors have bigger fish to fry too, with the team involved in a huge battle to remain in the Football League.
In many ways, this was the perfect afternoon for Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, with the fans given five goals to cheer on a chilly late afternoon in the capital, while a number of fringe players put in impressive performances.
CHELSEA VS. MORECAMBE HIGHLIGHTS
17th min: Chelsea missed penalty (Christopher Nkunku)
Chelsea pass up the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot, as Nkunku sees his effort kept out by the Morecambe goalkeeper, who stays down the middle to make the save.
39th min: Chelsea 1-0 Morecambe (Tosin Adarabioyo)
Chelsea make the breakthrough in the 39th minute of the contest, as Adarabioyo's strike from outside the penalty box takes a deflection and ends up in the back of the net; it is cruel for Morecambe late in the first period.
50th min: Chelsea 2-0 Morecambe (Christopher Nkunku)
Chelsea double their advantage in the 50th minute of the FA Cup fixture, as Nkunku turns into the back of the net from close range after Morecambe goalkeeper Burgoyne had kept out a strike from Veiga.
70th min: Chelsea 3-0 Morecambe (Tosin Adarabioyo)
Chelsea make sure of the win in the 70th minute of the contest, and it is a second of the match for Adarabioyo, with the defender firing one into the back of the net from outside the box - what a strike from the centre-back.
75th min: Chelsea 4-0 Morecambe (Joao Felix)
Felix gets in on the act at Stamford Bridge, as the Portugal international drills one into the bottom corner from distance; Morecambe's goalkeeper has struggled with efforts from outside the penalty box.
77th min: Chelsea 5-0 Morecambe (Joao Felix)
Felix has his second of the match at the end of a classy Chelsea move, as the attacker curls one into the far corner - Morecambe are absolutely falling apart in the English capital.
MAN OF THE MATCH - TOSIN ADARABIOYO
© Imago
Adarabioyo has only made nine Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season, but he has started four of their last five games in England's top flight and demonstrated his quality at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
The centre-back had a huge slice of luck when it came to his first goal, but his second was a wonderful strike, and his overall performance was excellent, with the 27-year-old dominant in the air, while he finished with a pass success rate of 93%.
CHELSEA VS. MORECAMBE MATCH STATS
Possession: Chelsea 81%-19% Morecambe
Shots: Chelsea 28-7 Morecambe
Shots on target: Chelsea 8-4 Morecambe
Corners: Chelsea 11-2 Morecambe
Fouls: Chelsea 7-4 Morecambe
BEST STAT
Christopher Nkunku outside the PL this season:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) January 11, 2025
11 goals
10 games pic.twitter.com/RmDK01D0ut
WHAT NEXT?
Chelsea's attention will now switch back to the Premier League, with the Blues welcoming Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night; Maresca's side are currently fourth in the Premier League table, picking up 36 points from 20 matches.
Morecambe, meanwhile, will be aiming to make it successive wins in the fourth tier of English football when they host Crewe Alexandra next Saturday; Derek Adams' side are currently 23rd in the League Two table, boasting 20 points from 24 matches.
Matt Law
