Chelsea are celebrating reaching the FA Cup semi-finals after thrashing Port Vale at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were expected to make light work of opponents who sit rock bottom of League One in their first meeting since 1929, ending a slump that had seen them lose four matches in a row across all competitions. And they did just that, notching seven goals in total in a complete rout in west London.
Chelsea were missing Enzo Fernandez, who has been dropped for two games as a result of recent comments that cast doubt on his future at the club. But they did not skip a beat without him, with Jorrel Hato getting the party started after only 63 seconds. Joao Pedro doubled the lead and Jordan Gabriel’s own goal under pressure from stand-in captain Cole Palmer had the hosts rolling at the interval.
They really turned on the style in the second half, with further goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho easing the pressure on Liam Rosenior and sealing a trip to Wembley later this month. Relive Chelsea vs Port Vale as it happened below!
Chelsea vs Port Vale highlights
GOAL! Garnacho earns and scores last-gasp penalty GOAL! Estevao effort given after VAR check GOAL! Andrey Santos controversially makes it five GOAL! Tosin heads in fourth from Gusto cross GOAL! Gabriel puts through own net before break GOAL! Joao Pedro doubles Chelsea lead GOAL! Hato fires Blues ahead in first minuteLive updates
Chelsea 7-0 Port Vale
Full-time
As emphatic as it gets as Chelsea turn on the style in the second half to blow away League One’s bottom club.
They are back in the FA Cup semi-finals, joining Manchester City at Wembley.
Just what was needed for Liam Rosenior after the recent horror run and off-the-field distractions.
A brave effort and superb cup run for the Valiants, but they were totally outclassed today.
Now they focus attentions back on trying to pull off a great escape from relegation to the fourth tier.
Chelsea FC via Getty ImagesGOAL! Chelsea 7-0 Port Vale | Alejandro Garnacho (pen) 92'
92 mins: Excellent penalty from Garnacho as he sends Gauci the wrong way.
Seventh heaven for Chelsea - their 20th goal in the FA Cup this season.
Chelsea 6-0 Port Vale
90 mins: Referee Farai Hallam points to the spot for a Chelsea penalty after Garnacho is brought down by Magloire.
Garnacho to take...
Chelsea 6-0 Port Vale
85 mins: Acheampong is on for Gusto in the Chelsea defence, which has not been tested today.
Tyler Magloire replaces John for Port Vale.
Chelsea 6-0 Port Vale
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
That took way too long but Chelsea have six and have destroyed Port Vale here.
It's a handsome victory for the Blues. Estevao deservedly on the scoresheet.
GOAL! Chelsea 6-0 Port Vale | Estevao 82'
83 mins: This is very, very tight with the lines being drawn.
It’s the first offside shout against Estevao they are looking at, as the ball came off the defender after hitting the post.
It’s fractional stuff, but the goal is eventually given and its’s six for Chelsea.
No less than the impressive Estevao deserves after hitting the woodwork twice.
He’s just been named man of the match, too.
Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale
82 mins: Estevao squeezes in the rebound for Chelsea after Garnacho slams against the post.
The offside flag is belatedly raised.
What a lovely reverse pass from Hato to release Garnacho.
A couple of VAR checks going on here...
Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale
78 mins: Lavia is replaced by Kavuma-McQueen.
What a moment for the young winger.
Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale
76 mins: Hall goes for goal for Port Vale instead of playing in Gray and winds up with a corner.
Nothing comes of it.
Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
17-year-old Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is about to come on for his Chelsea debut.
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