Chelsea recorded a comfortable 5-0 win over League Two Morecambe to reach the FA Cup fourth round.
A brace from Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix, plus a Christopher Nkunku goal, which also saw a first-half penalty kick, ensured there would be no upset in the cup at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Eighty-seven places separate the two sides in the English football pyramid and, in the end, the gap in quality was evident as Enzo Maresca's side overcame the League Two strugglers in convincing fashion.
The Blues coach made wholesale changes, most notably the return of Reece James to the starting lineup.
Morecambe goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne made some early saves but was unable to do much to prevent the home team's attack in the second half.
For Chelsea, the result ended a run of four consecutive matches without a win.
Qualification to the fourth round of #EmiratesFACup! 🏆#CFCs pic.twitter.com/Eqw9mWrJdd
– Chelsea (@ChelseaFC) January 11, 2025
How the work unfolded
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was the Premier League side who got off to a bright start when Axel Disasi headed James' free-kick over the bar inside two minutes.
But the visitors also got off to a spirited start at Stamford Bridge, with Ben Tollett making a fine save from Philipp Jorgensen's shot against the Blues.
Adarabioyo was inches away from giving the hosts the lead when his header from a corner kick hit the post.
It was an eventful first quarter of an hour in London. A handball from Yan Songou gave Nkunku the opportunity to put Maresca's side ahead but Burgoyne made a brilliant save to keep the tie scoreless.
However, Burgoyne was off the line when the penalty was taken, but with no VAR until the fifth round, there was no replay.
It was a busy afternoon for the Morecombe keeper, who was called upon again just before the half-hour mark when he blocked a Felix shot.
The League Two side could have been very happy with their early efforts, but five minutes before half-time, they fell behind after a scrambled effort from Adarabioyo was deflected by Morecambe's Callum Jones.
Marisca, and the entire home crowd, could breathe a sigh of relief as the Blues went into half-time with the advantage.
Go ahead with the break. ✊#CFCs | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/salt9FY6oI
– Chelsea (@ChelseaFC) January 11, 2025
The hosts made three changes in the first half, and it was one of those, Mark Cucurella, who made an immediate impact.
The Spaniard played an active role in building the attack, as Nkunku fired the ball into the net from close range to double Chelsea's lead.
Cucurella almost scored the third goal five minutes later when his shot went wide of the goal, with Marisca's team in complete control.
In the 70th minute, Adarabioyo secured the equalizer when the defender fired another shot from distance into the top corner.
Felix then added two more goals as Chelsea put the spotlight on an impressive home performance.
