Enzo Maresca praised his players' “professional” performance as Chelsea easily beat League Two's Morecambe 5-0 in the FA Cup third round.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix each scored twice, while Christopher Nkunku, who saved a first-half penalty, also scored to ensure there was no upset in the cup at Stamford Bridge.
Eighty-seven places separate the two sides in the English football pyramid and, in the end, the gap in quality was evident as Maresca's side progressed to the fourth round in convincing fashion.
Qualification to the fourth round of #EmiratesFACup! 🏆#CFCs pic.twitter.com/Eqw9mWrJdd
– Chelsea (@ChelseaFC) January 11, 2025
Speaking after the match, Maresca said: “It was a good afternoon in terms of winning, which is important. Also, the performance in this type of match shows how serious and professional we are.
“The FA Cup is an important competition. Since we started, we try to approach every competition the same way. We try to do our best in every tournament.”
The Chelsea coach, who took the opportunity to make sweeping changes to his starting lineup, revealed that Noni Madueke missed the match due to illness.
Mariska also sympathized with the need to be patient with the fitness of returning players, such as Reece James, and added that the likes of Nkunku and Felix would let the football do the talking for them.
“The idea is to slowly build the right condition,” Mareska said. “Especially with Reece (James), we have to be a bit more careful. He and Romeo (Lafia) finished well without any problem. We have to help them get into the right condition.
“Christo (Nkonkwo) and Joao (Felix) didn't knock on the door or ask anything, but there's no need for that.”
Chelsea will visit Bournemouth in the English Premier League on Tuesday.
