Chelsea did exactly what was required, including a thrashing, and progressed to the semi-finals of the English FA Cup by knocking out lowly Port Vale, the lowest-ranked team still in the competition.

The Blues put their off-pitch troubles behind them with a resounding victory over Port Vale, who sit bottom of League One, and remain in the hunt for a trophy this season.

Despite the absence of Enzo Fernández, who was dropped from the squad following comments about his future, Chelsea did not feel the absence of the Argentine – as was to be expected against a third-tier side – and sealed the tie in the first half.

Goals from Jarrel Hato, Joao Pedro and Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel in the first 45 minutes brought a sense of calm to a Stamford Bridge crowd unsettled by the possible summer departure of their vice-captain, Enzo, and by the interest shown by Marc Cucurella’s Barcelona in another of their key players.

In the second half, Tosin Adarabioyo made it 4-0, Andrey Santos 5-0 and Estevao rounded off the scoring with the 6-0, following a VAR review, whilst Alejandro Garnacho added his own goal to make it 7-0, allowing Rosenior to rest some of his first-team regulars given the comfortable lead.

The victory, despite the modest opposition, gives Liam Rosenior some breathing space and allows him to remain confident that he can still win a title this season. With Champions League qualification still in doubt and seven matches remaining in the Premier League, Chelsea have secured their place in the semi-finals at Wembley alongside Manchester City.

Jordan Gabriel

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