The Blues prevail against the weaker second division teams and reach the fourth round of the FA Cup

Chelsea won comfortably 5-0 against League Two Morecambe and reached the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Braces from Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix, as well as a goal from Christopher Nkunku, who also saved a first-half penalty, ensured there would be no cup surprise at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Eighty-seven places separate the two teams in the English football pyramid, and in the end the gap in quality became clear as Enzo Maresca’s team convincingly prevailed against the second division weaker teams.

The Blues boss made sweeping changes, the most notable being the return of Reece James to the starting lineup.

Morecambe goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne made some brilliant early saves but did little to stop the hosts’ attack in the second half.

For Chelsea, the result ended a run of four games in a row without a win.

We continue into the fourth round #EmiratesFACup! 🏆#CFC pic.twitter.com/Eqw9mWrJdd

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 11, 2025

How the action developed

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Premier League side got off to the best start with Axel Disasi heading James’ free-kick over the bar within two minutes.

But the visitors also got off to a spirited start at Stamford Bridge when the lively Ben Tollitt forced a good save from Filip Jorgensen in the Blues goal.

Adarabioyo was just inches away from giving the hosts the lead when his header hit the post from a corner.

It was an eventful first quarter of an hour in London. A handball from Yann Songo’o gave Nkunku the chance to put Maresca’s side in front, but Burgoyne saved brilliantly to ensure the tie remained goalless.

However, Burgoyne was outside his line when the penalty was taken, but with no VAR in use until the fifth round there was no replay.

It was a busy afternoon for the Morecombe goalkeeper, who was called into action again just before the half-hour mark when he blocked Felix’s shot.

The League Two side were pleased with their early attempts but they fell behind five minutes before half-time after Adarabioyo parried away a speculative shot from Morecambe’s Callum Jones.

Maresca and the entire home crowd could collectively breathe a sigh of relief as the Blues went into the break with a lead.

At the break in front. ✊#CFC | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/salt9FY6oI

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 11, 2025

The hosts made three changes at half-time and one of them, Marc Cucurella, made an immediate impact.

The Spaniard was instrumental in building up the game as Nkunku smashed the ball into the goal from close range, doubling Chelsea’s lead.

Five minutes later, Cucurella almost made it 3-0 when his snap shot went wide and Maresca’s side were now in full control.

In the 70th minute, Adarabioyo equalized when another long-range shot from the defender hit the top corner.

Felix then added two more as Chelsea added gloss to a confident home performance.