Chelsea ended another rough week on a high note by beating Port Vale 7-0 at Stamford Bridge to make it to the FA Cup semi-finals. Liam Rosenior’s team had lost four games in a row and was marred by an international break that saw Enzo Fernández and Marc Cucurella make headlines for the wrong reasons. They responded well against the League One basement club.
After just 64 seconds, any chance of an upset in the cup by Port Vale, who are 61 places below Chelsea in the football pyramid, were gone. Jorrel Hato took advantage of a bad punch from goalkeeper Joe Gauci to volley home the first goal. In the 25th minute, Joao Pedro scored a second goal. Pedro Neto won the ball and sent a cross that the Brazilian controlled perfectly before hitting the corner.
Cole Palmer, who was wearing the captain’s armband because Fernandez was sanctioned and Reece James was hurt, forced an own goal from Jordan Gabriel just before half-time, making it three at the break.
The Blues only got more intense after the break, when Tosin Adarabioyo scored a header from Malo Gusto’s cross to make it four. Andrey Santos then scored a fifth goal with another powerful header from a corner. Estevao’s goal was first ruled out, but VAR later gave it to him after a review. Alejandro Garnacho, who came on as a substitute, finished the rout from the penalty spot in stoppage time after Tyler Magloire brought him down. He calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Port Vale’s cup run came to a sad end. They were in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years after beating Sunderland, a Premier League team, in the last round.
Blues Await Semi-Final Draw With Man City Test Looming at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea will find out who they will play in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday, April 5. The draw will take place at the London Stadium after the quarter-final between West Ham and Leeds United. The semi-final matches will take place at Wembley Stadium on the weekend of April 25 and 26.
Before Chelsea can think about going to the national stadium, they have to face a much tougher opponent: Manchester City will come to Stamford Bridge on April 12 for a Premier League game. Chelsea have 48 points from 31 games, while City have 61 points from 30 games, putting the Mancunians in a much better position.
Rosenior’s team want to win the FA Cup for the first time since 2018 and finish in the top five to qualify for next season’s Champions League. The Blues’ big win over Port Vale could be just what they need to get their confidence up as they head into a crucial part of the season.
