Chelsea beat League Two Morecambe 5-0 to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Braces from Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix, as well as goals from Christopher Nkunku, who saved a first-half penalty, ensured a trophyless draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Eighty-seven places separate the two sides in the English football pyramid and in the end the gulf in quality was evident as Enzo Maresca's side saw off the strugglers of the two giants in compelling fashion.
The Blues boss made wholesale changes, the most notable of which was the return of Reece James to the starting line-up.
Morecambe goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne produced some inspired saves early on but could do little to stem the hosts' onslaught in the second half.
The result ended Chelsea's four-game winless streak.
advanced to the fourth stage. #EmiratesFACup! š#CFC pic.twitter.com/Eqw9mWrJdd
ā Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 11 2025
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The Premier League club surprisingly got off to the brightest start when Axel Disasi headed James' free-kick over the bar after just two minutes.
But the visitors forced Filip Jorgensen's fine strike into the Chelsea goal as the dynamic Ben Tollitt forced the ball into the Stamford Bridge goal.
Adarabio then came inches away from giving the hosts the lead when a header from a corner hit the post.
This is the event of the first quarter of an hour in London. A handball from Yann Songo'o gave Nkunku a chance to give Maresca's side the lead, but Burgoyne held on to keep the draw goalless.
Burgoyne was freed from his penalty area at the end of the shootout, but was not able to equalize with VAR until the fifth round.
It was proving to be a busy afternoon for the Morecombe keeper, who was called into action again on the half-hour mark when Felix's effort was pointed out.
The league two sides were highly impressed with their early efforts, but they fell behind after Adarabioyo's speculative effort from Morecambe's Callum Jones was wickedly deflected five minutes from time.
Maresca and the entire home crowd heaved a collective sigh of relief as Chelsea thrashed them.
Rest up ahead. ā#CFC | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/salt9FY6oI
ā Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 11 2025
The hosts made three changes at half-time, one of which was introduced by Marc Cucurella who made an immediate impact.
The Spaniard was vital in attack as Nkunku powered home the ball from close range to double Chelsea's lead.
Cucurella then made it almost three minutes later when his snap shot left Maresca's side completely in control.
In the 70th minute, Adarabio found the top corner when another goal from distance was found by a defender.
Phillips then added two more as Chelsea put in a fine home performance.