Chelsea’s mediocre display was still enough to beat the underdogs Morecambe and secure the next FA Cup round. The first half was forgettable, as the Blues barely netted once over Tosin Adarabioyo while Christopher Nkunku wasted a penalty.Three of Enzo Maresca’s subs during the break woke up his boys, who scored four more times through Tosin – who completed his first-ever brace – the redeemed Nkunku, and Joao Felix (another brace) – 5-0.Tosin at the double for @ChelseaFC 👀#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/xlfKzpu3z7— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025 Morecambe, in prospect, seemed like easy prey for Chelsea, but the Shrimps showed they would be a tough nut to crack during the opening period. Things became even more complicated for the Blues in the 17th minute when the visitors’ custodian, Harry Burgoyne, stopped Christopher Nkunku’s shot from the spot, thrilling 3000 Morecambe fans at Stamford Bridge!Former Wolves goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne saving Nkunku’s penalty in the FA Cup pic.twitter.com/AjZ5ie9Um6— 🇧🇷 (@cunhaprop) January 11, 2025 Midway through the first half, the 28-year-old keeper prevented Joao Felix from scoring as well, but he couldn’t do anything against the misfortune he and his team experienced five minutes before the break. Chelsea’s defender Tosin Adarabioyo attempted from a distance, the ball rebounded off Callum Jones and ended up in the back of the net, giving the Blues an advantage at the break.Tosin Adarabioyo’s goal pic.twitter.com/2JPgOyL8ax— UTD NIF (@HappyOmoidan064) January 11, 2025 Dissatisfied Enzo Maresca made three subs during the break and it paid him off minutes into the second half when his team made it 2-0. Chelsea attacked over Marc Cucurella on the left flank, the Spaniard found Renato Veiga inside, whose attempt Burgoyne deflected, but Nkunku redeemed himself for the wasted penalty, sending the rebound into the net – 2-0.GOAL | Nkunku makes it two!! Chelsea 2-0 Morecambe pic.twitter.com/SN1aiIjffl— Blue Minutes (@blueminutes) January 11, 2025 The Londoners kept pressing the rivals, proving that they took the second half much more serious than the opening period in which they seemed pretty disheartened and unmotivated. However, Maresca’s subs and probably a passionate team talk, woke his lads up.Four months ago, ‘Bye, Chalobah’ and now ‘Help, Chalobah’Chelsea’s youngster, the 18-year-old Tyrique George was the main figure on the pitch during the most of the second half, as he constantly threatened the visitors over the left wing, hinting at great potential. The Shrimps completely gave up after Tosin scored the third goal and completed a brace, allowing Felix to score a brace as well in only two minutes, between 75th and 77th.What a goal by Tosin Adarabioyo pic.twitter.com/JuuoxFkLeR— Lennox (@cfc_lennox) January 11, 2025 🚨🏴 GOAL | Chelsea 5-0 Morecambe | Joao FelixINCREDIBLE GOAL FROM JOAO FELIX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/PTzoofDDto— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 11, 2025 Even though his team could have put in a much better performance, Maresca has to be satisfied as the goal was achieved – Chelsea reached the next FA Cup round. On the other hand, Morecambe did not embarrass themselves, especially before the break. Now, the Blues can peacefully await the draw and the name of their next rival.FA CUP ROUND 3 ThursdaySheffield Utd. – Cardiff 0-1 (0-1)/Ashford 19/Everton – Peterborough 2-0 (1-0)/Beto 42, Ndiaye 90+8 pen/Fulham – Watford 4-1 (1-1)/Muniz 26, Jimenez 49 pen, Andersen 65, Castagne 85 – Vata 33/FridayWycombe – Portsmouth 2-0 (2-0)/Hanlan 17, Bradley 27/Aston Villa – West Ham 2-1 (0-1)/Onana 71, Rogers 76 – Paqueta 9/SaturdayBirmingham – Lincoln City 2-0 (1-0)/Yokoyama 1, Dykes 77/Bristol City – Wolverhampton 1-2 (1-2)/Twine 45+2 – Nouri 10, Gomes 21/Middlesbrough – Blackburn 0-1 (0-0)/Weimann 70/Liverpool – Accrington 4-0 (2-0)/Jota 29, Alexander-Arnold 45, Danns 76, Chiesa 90/Leicester – QPR 6-2 (3-2)/Justin 9, 63, Mavididi 37, Buonanotte 38, Vardy 51 pen, Faes 90+3 – Varane 18, Kolli 45+2/Bournemouth – WBA 5-1 (3-1)/Kluivert 27, Outtara 34, 44, Semenyo 47, Jebbison 90+2 – Taylor 14/Brentford – Plymouth 0-1 (0-0)/Whittaker 82/Chelsea – Morecambe 5-0 (1-0)/Adarabioyo 40, 70, Nkunku 50, Felix 75, 77/Exeter – Oxford 3-1 (2-1)/Mitchell 22, 40, Harper 64 – Phillips 14/Norwich – Brighton 0-4 (0-2)/Rutter 37, 45+2, Enciso 60, March 74/Nott.Forest – Luton 2-0 (1-0)/Yates 40, Sosa 68/Reading – Burnley 1-1 IN PROGRESSSunderland – Stoke 1-1 IN PROGRESS20:45: (1.07) Leeds (13.0) Harrogate T. (25.0)20:45: (1.05) Man.City (14.0) Salford City (35.0)21:00: (1.95) Coventry (3.45) Sheffield W. (3.60)21:00: (2.95) Leyton (3.15) Derby (2.35)Sunday15:00: (1.80) Hull (3.45) Doncaster (4.20)15:30: (12.0) Tamworth (7.25) Tottenham (1.20)18:00: (1.75) Arsenal (3.60) Man.Utd. (4.90)18:00: (1.30) Crystal Palace (5.30) Stockport (8.00)18:00: (1.25) Ipswich (6.50) Bristol Rovers (10.5)18:00: (1.15) Newcastle (8.00) Bromley (16.0)19:30: (1.80) Southampton (3.45) Swansea (4.20)Monday22:30: (1.33) Millwall (5.00) Dag & Red (7.75)***odds are subject to change***
