Chelsea are in the hat for round four of the FA Cup after overcoming Preston North End at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men were made to work for their goals and had quite a physical battle on their hands in the first half, but they rallied in the second and tore their visitors apart to book their spot in the next round.
Academy graduate Alfie Gilchrist was named in the Chelsea starting lineup for the first time, coming in at right-back and proving to be the standout performer of the first half.
Alfie Gilchrist probably the only positive from that half.
Made a number of nice tackles, clearances, composed in the box & made runs despite being a natural CB. 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/wVHHRMID6e
— Felix (@FelixJohnston_) January 6, 2024
There’s an argument to say Gilchrist has been Chelsea’s best player so far. It is a credit to him but you’d expect better from some of his teammates. https://t.co/d7IwiJghXw
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 6, 2024
Cole Palmer spurned the Blues’ best chance of the opening 45, dinking over Freddie Woodman but past the post after meeting Enzo Fernandez’s ball over the top.
Palmer we didn’t see that
You can do no wrong— Rola (@kofoworola__a) January 6, 2024
Cole “better than Elliot” Palmer struggling against Preston North End😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/zQzah9wFTx
— Majcetic (@Majcetic) January 6, 2024
Chelsea played with more purpose at the start of the second half and took the lead through Armando Broja. Mykhailo Mudryk regained possession in the final third and passed the ball back to Malo Gusto to cross for the Albanian.
Broja rises ⬆️
Broja scores ✅A top header from the @ChelseaFC man#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/X0ZNFr9Yjj
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 6, 2024
Big goal for Armando Broja. Clinical header and just what Chelsea needed. Broja’s first goal since October.🎯 pic.twitter.com/iNDnCf8nCb
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 6, 2024
Who needs Osimhen when you have Armando Broja
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) January 6, 2024
Minutes later, Chelsea scored a second, with Thiago Silva nodding in a corner from Cole Palmer.
Thiago Silva heads in for @ChelseaFC 🔵#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/txYMZFp3c9
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 6, 2024
Thiago Silva. My captain. Legend of football.
— Conn (@ConnCFC) January 6, 2024
Words can’t describe how much I love Thiago Silva.
The best. #CFC
— Olivia Buzaglo (@OliviaBuzaglo) January 6, 2024
GOAL. Thiago Silva 2-0.
Pochettino’s substitution pays off! pic.twitter.com/BJMYuHwk7v
— ChelsTransfer (@ChelsTransfer) January 6, 2024
It got better for Chelsea by the 70th minute when Raheem Sterling scored a stunning free-kick to all but end the contest.
PICK THAT OUT 😱@sterling7 with a stunner for @ChelseaFC 😮💨#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/vbwQTOYiJm
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 6, 2024
Sterling is actually better at free-kicks than Cristiano Ronaldo. 😭
— Chels HQ (@Chels_HQ) January 6, 2024
Fairs Sterling might be world class at free kicks 🤣
— Will (@willreyner) January 6, 2024
Sterling what a free kick. This guy is so frustrating but can’t complain too much when he gets g/a
— CarefreeLewisG🇪🇹👉🏾 (@CarefreeLewisG) January 6, 2024
And that’s why Sterling is still on the pitch you stinky casuals. 3-0 and we’re not done yet
— N (@Nino12x) January 6, 2024
There was still time for Chelsea to score a fourth, with Fernandez bundling the ball in from close range. He was initially denied by an offside flag, but the goal was allowed to stand after a long VAR check.
Right place. Right time.
Enzo Fernández extends @ChelseaFC‘s lead following a VAR check 🔵#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/WuMDhHP7sT
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 6, 2024
Enzo Fernandez’s game by numbers vs. Preston:
104 touches
80% pass accuracy
69/86 passes completed
7/12 long balls completed
5/5 ground duels won
3 key passes
2/2 tackles won
2 aerial duels won
1 goalWonderful performance. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/a8jgWl8as3
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 6, 2024
Enzo Fernandez with his 4th goal for Chelsea
— CarefreeYouth (@CarefreeYouth) January 6, 2024
With the clock winding down, Pochettino threw on 17-year-old Michael Golding for his senior debut to round off a fine day for Chelsea.
What a moment for 17-year-old Michael Golding coming on for his debut! 🌟👏
Top centre-midfielder in the academy! #CFC https://t.co/pfkHhVfXGA pic.twitter.com/dkDHDsPdIG
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) January 6, 2024
If my maths are correct Michael Golding is exactly the same age as Terry Venables was in making his Chelsea debut.
— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) January 6, 2024
Congratulations to Michael Golding, the 798th player to make a 1st team appearance for #ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/XV6a3jCNO1
— The History of Chelsea FC ⭐⭐ (@stamford_bridge) January 6, 2024
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