Chelsea delivered a commanding performance to defeat Port Vale 7-0 in the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge, securing their place in the semi-finals with their biggest-ever margin of victory in a quarter-final tie.
The Blues made a blistering start, taking the lead after just two minutes when Jorrel Hato powered home from a Pedro Neto corner. João Pedro doubled the advantage on 25 minutes, controlling a Neto cross and finishing clinically into the corner. An own goal from Port Vale’s Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel on 42 minutes deflecting Cole Palmer’s shot past goalkeeper Joe Gauci made it 3-0 at the break.
Chelsea maintained total control after the interval. Tosin Adarabioyo headed in a Malo Gusto delivery from a short corner on 57 minutes, before Andrey Santos nodded home from close range off an Estêvão Willian cross on 69 minutes. Estêvão himself poked in the sixth on 82 minutes after Alejandro Garnacho’s shot struck the post and rebounded perfectly into his path. Garnacho rounded off the scoring in the second minute of stoppage time, converting a penalty he had won himself.
Head coach Liam Rosenior said: “The players showed real focus and intensity from the first whistle. We created chance after chance and were clinical in front of goal. This is about the club we want to be successful now and in the long term, and reaching the semi-finals keeps us fighting on all fronts.”
Chelsea dominated possession (76%) and restricted League One opponents Port Vale who had knocked out Sunderland in the previous round to very few opportunities. The clean sheet and seven-goal haul underlined a professional and ruthless display at home.
The Blues now advance to the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley, with the draw to be made in the coming days. Chelsea’s next fixture is a Premier League encounter against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 12 April.