Chelsea cruised into the FA Cup fourth round with a commanding 5-0 victory over Morecambe, but the result wasn’t always a foregone conclusion.
The first half of the match was far from convincing for Chelsea, who only managed a narrow 1-0 lead at the break through Tosin Adarabioyo’s deflected strike. Christopher Nkunku’s missed penalty earlier in the game highlighted Chelsea’s struggles against a resilient Morecambe defense.
Manager Enzo Maresca made decisive substitutions at halftime, introducing Jadon Sancho, Malo Gusto, and Marc Cucurella. The changes reinvigorated the Blues, as Nkunku redeemed himself with a close-range finish to double Chelsea’s lead early in the second half.
Tosin Adarabioyo was instrumental, adding a second goal with another powerful strike from distance. Joao Felix then sealed the victory with a quickfire brace, showcasing his attacking prowess as Chelsea dismantled Morecambe in the final stages of the match.
Read the full match report here
Chelsea Player Ratings vs Morecambe
Here’s the Chelsea Player ratings vs Morecambe:
Filip Jorgensen – 5
Despite keeping a clean sheet, the goalkeeper appeared shaky under pressure, especially during set pieces and high balls.
Reece James – 6
Back from a hamstring injury, James played the first half and delivered some dangerous corners. A solid but cautious return.
Axel Disasi – 5
Missed two clear chances to score in the first half and struggled to handle Morecambe’s physicality at times.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 9
The standout performer. Scored two goals, including a superb long-range strike, and was a dominant presence at the back.
Renato Veiga – 6
Played a hybrid role to support the midfield but looked uncomfortable at times. Provided a clever dummy for one of Tosin’s goals.
Romeo Lavia – 6
Returning from injury, Lavia had a tidy but unremarkable outing before being substituted at halftime.
Christopher Nkunku – 6
Missed a first-half penalty but redeemed himself with a goal after halftime. Still not at his sharpest.
Joao Felix – 8
Chelsea’s creative spark. His two goals showcased his flair and finishing ability, marking him as a key player in the team’s attack.
Pedro Neto – 6
Showed promise with a brilliant early run but struggled to find space against a deep-lying defense.
Marc Guiu – 5
A quiet outing for the young forward, who was crowded out for much of the game.
Tyrique George – 7
The youngster lit up the game with his trickery and creativity. Delivered two assists to cap an impressive performance.
Substitutes:
- Malo Gusto (James 46’) – 6: A steady, no-fuss second half.
- Marc Cucurella (Lavia 46’) – 7: Brought composure and control after the break.
- Jadon Sancho (Neto 46’) – 6: Drifted effectively between the lines without making a major impact.
Unused: Sanchez, Acheampong, Colwill, Fernandez, Palmer, Jackson.
Chelsea will undoubtedly face tougher tests in their FA Cup campaign, but this emphatic performance, driven by Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix, sets a strong foundation.
