Chelsea secured a place in the FA Cup semi-finals in convincing fashion this afternoon, as the Blues scored seven goals and kept a clean sheet to dispatch Port Vale at Stamford Bridge.
Liam Rosenior’s were expected to overcome our League One opponents, but a professional job was required. That we broke the deadlock after just 63 seconds through Jorrel Hato was a sign that there would be no giant-killing.
Joao Pedro scored our second of the afternoon, and a third was guided over the line by Cole Palmer, although it was later credited as a Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel own goal.
In the second period, Tosin Adarabioyo headed home our fourth, Andrey Santos did the same from a corner for our fifth, and Estevao Willian tucked home the Blues’ sixth from close range.
A seventh arrived in second-half stoppage time to round off the afternoon; Alejandro Garnacho won and converted a penalty that helped the Blues set our biggest margin of victory in the FA Cup quarter-finals and claim a place in the last four.
Alejandro Garnacho celebrates scoring our seventh of final goal of the Blues’ victory
Early opener
Rosenior made three changes to his starting XI. Marc Cucurella was replaced in defence by Tosin Adarabioyo. Andrey Santos came into our midfield for Moises Caicedo. And Estevao Willian started in place of Enzo Fernandez.
Port Vale knocked out Premier League side Sunderland in the fifth round – their ability to produce a giant-killing was proven. Yet any chance the visitors had of another scalp was reduced inside 90 seconds, as we broke the deadlock via a set-piece.
After Malo Gusto earned the Blues a corner, Pedro Neto whipped his delivery toward the near post. Vale goalkeeper Joe Gauci, at the second attempt, pawed the ball away, but it broke into the path of Hato, who powered his shot through bodies and into the net.
Jorrel Hato opened the scoring after just 63 seconds
It was the ideal start, and we looked to add a quick second. Another following attack enabled Gusto to cross for Palmer, whose shot was blocked by Cameron Humphreys on its way to goal.
The visitors fashioned a couple of half-chances in response. Rhys Walters dragged a shot wide from distance and Connor Hall skewed a header beyond the post.
Extending our advantage
Rosenior’s side were in control of the game, yet a second goal was needed to reflect that. Thankfully, it arrived with 25 minutes on the clock.
After the ball was worked to Andrey Santos, he looped a pass into the path of Neto. The Portuguese winger shrugged off the attention of Liam Gordon and crossed for Joro Pedro. The Brazilian controlled, steadied himself, and planted his finish into the corner.
Joao Pedro celebrates scoring our second
With a firm lead established, the Blues were able to manage the game. Vale had few opportunities to advance into our half, but they were quickly snuffed out. At the other end, Romeo Lavia saw a fierce shot deflected into the arms of Gauci.
Adding a third
A third goal would truly end Vale’s hopes – and it arrived before the interval. A neat Tosin pass was flicked into the path of Joao Pedro by Gusto, who then offered an overlapping run. The full-back was found and drove a shot low that Gauci could only divert into Palmer’s path.
Our captain for the day finished, although the strike was credited as an own goal, as the ball struck Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel on its way in.
A third arrived for the Blues before half time, as Cole Palmer helped guide the ball home from close range
Rosenior opted against any changes at the interval, and his side continued with purpose after the restart. There was no sign from the Blues that we would coast to victory.
Estevao came inches away from a fourth as, having been set by Andrey Santos, he guided a curled effort off the bottom of the post. Neto was then denied, as Gauci got two strong fists up to keep out a thunderous drive.
The intensity with which we started the second period eventually paid off, though. A short corner was worked to Gusto, who stood up a cross that enabled Tosin to leap and plant a header into the corner.
Tosin powered home a header for our fourth of the afternoon
With the game effectively won, Rosenior introduced Dario Essugo, Garnacho and Liam Delap. Off stepped Palmer, Neto and Joao Pedro.
Still, Chelsea pushed forward. Estevao produced an instant chance for Garnacho, which the Argentine could only guide over, before the Brazilian winger struck the post once more, this time after attempting a near-post finish.
A fifth goal did arrive; another set-piece proved effective for the Blues. It was this time delivered by Estevao, whose back-post delivery was headed home from close range by Andrey Santos.
Andrey Santos celebrates after nodding home our fifth from a corner
With the minutes ticking down, Rosenior introduced Academy winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen for his senior debut – the 17-year-old featuring for the final 12 minutes.
Sixth and seventh Blues goals arrived in the time that remained. Estevao first claimed the goal his performance deserved; it was an easy finish for the Brazilian, as he poked home from two yards after a Garnacho shot had struck the post and rebounded into his path.
And, in the final minute of normal time, Garnacho converted a penalty that he had moments earlier earned to finish an impressive afternoon’s work from the Blues and take us to our 27th FA Cup semi-final.
What it means…
A place in the semi-finals at Wembley awaits the Blues. We will discover our opponent tomorrow evening, after the conclusion of West Ham United’s clash with Leeds United.
What comes next…
The Blues are back in Premier League action next weekend. We will welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge on Sunday 12 April.
The teams
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto (Acheampong 85), Fofana, Tosin, Hato; Andrey Santos, Lavia (Kavuma-McQueen 78); Estevao, Palmer (c) (Essugo 60), Neto (Garnacho 61); Joao Pedro (Delap 60)
Chelsea substitutes: Sharman-Lowe, Sarr, Cucurella, Caicedo
Goalscorers: Hato 2, Joao Pedro 25, Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel 42 og, Tosin 57, Andrey Santos 69, Garnacho 90+2
Port Vale: Gauci, Hall, Gabriel, Garrity (Archer 74), Walter, Ojo, Gordon (Campbell 65), Waine (Hall 65), Sherif (Gray 65), John (Magloire 85), Humphreys
Port Vale substitutes: Amos, Stocklet, Croasdale, Shipley
Match report by chelseafc.com
