Chelsea secured a dominant 5-0 victory over Morecambe at Stamford Bridge to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Blues extended their impressive record in the competition, having now won their last 11 FA Cup home games against lower-division opposition by a commanding aggregate score of 37-5.
Despite the emphatic result, the match was far from straightforward. With a missed penalty by Christopher Nkunku, a brilliant Joao Felix brace, and a stunning long-range strike from Tosin Adarabioyo, the game delivered drama but also revealed several areas for improvement. Here are the key takeaways from Chelsea’s latest cup outing.
A Sluggish First Half
Chelsea dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes, controlling 80% of the ball. However, the attack lacked fluidity and struggled to penetrate Morecambe’s well-organized low block. The disjointed front line, featuring Felix, Nkunku, and Marc Guiu, frequently found itself clustered in central areas, while Pedro Neto had a minimal impact on the proceedings.
Nkunku’s missed penalty midway through the half epitomized Chelsea’s lack of sharpness and urgency. The Blues eventually broke the deadlock through Adarabioyo, whose deflected long-range strike provided a stroke of fortune in an otherwise frustrating first half.
Tactical Adjustments Pay Dividends
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca responded decisively at halftime, introducing Jadon Sancho, Malo Gusto, and Marc Cucurella to inject energy and creativity into the team. The changes paid immediate dividends, with Cucurella spearheading a relentless attack down the left flank.
The second half saw Chelsea capitalize on their dominance, with all four goals coming from incisive play down the left wing. Cucurella and Tyrique George combined brilliantly to create chances, while Felix capitalized on the chaos to net two superb goals on his FA Cup debut.
Joao Felix hitting the 'Night, Night' celebration after scoring a brace for Chelsea in the FA Cup 💤 pic.twitter.com/dTVQ6mwsNK
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) January 11, 2025
Adarabioyo, afforded space outside the box, delivered the game’s highlight moment, unleashing a thunderous strike from distance to cap off the rout. With this, Chelsea became the first team to score three goals from outside the box in an FA Cup match since Manchester United achieved the feat against Tranmere Rovers in January 2020.
Concerns Over Player Focus
As the January transfer window looms, speculation over player departures continues to swirl. Axel Disasi and Christopher Nkunku, both reportedly linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, delivered underwhelming performances that raised questions about their commitment.
Disasi struggled throughout, misplacing simple passes and failing to hit the target with all four of his efforts. Nkunku, despite scoring in the second half, lacked his usual sharpness and intensity, with subdued body language suggesting his mind may be elsewhere.
If this match is any indication, both players could be nearing the end of their Chelsea tenures. Chelsea will discover their fourth-round opponents following the conclusion of Sunday’s fixtures on January 12. Maresca will hope his side can build on their second-half improvements as the FA Cup journey continues.