Chelsea cruised into the fourth round of the FA Cup as they dominated non-league Chesterfield from start to finish in a 5-1 win at Stamford Bridge.
Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Romelu Lukaku all scored inside 20 minutes, before Andreas Christensen further extended the lead before the break.
Hakim Ziyech scored from the spot in the second-half, and while Akwasi Asante scored a famous late consolation goal, the Blues progressed beyond the third round of the competition for the 24rd year in a row.
Thomas Tuchel made his intentions clear from the off, with Lukaku, Werner and Christian Pulisic among those starting in a very strong Chelsea lineup.
Werner gave the Blues the lead after just six minutes, as Hakim Ziyech’s shot was saved and the rebound fell to the German for a tap-in.
Callum Hudson-Odoi was a threat throughout the first-half on the left, and he doubled the lead with a sensational curling strike into the far corner after he cut inside.
Two minutes later, Lukaku turned in from close-range after good work from Lewis Hall, the 17-year-old who looked completely at home in the Chelsea side on debut.
It was 4-0 after 39 minutes, as Hall’s strike from outside the box was parried straight out to Christensen and he looped a header over Scott Loach in the Chesterfield goal.
Ziyech and Kai Havertz, introduced at the break, went close after the break, before Christian Pulisic was brought down and the referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot.
With usual penalty taker Jorginho not on the pitch, penalty duties fell to Ziyech and he hammered it low past Loach to make it 5-0.
Chesterfield got a reward for their efforts late on, and in front of their travelling fans too. Kabongo Tshimanga saw his strike well saved, but the rebound fell to Asante and he couldn’t miss as he tapped into an empty net from a couple of yards out.
It was a moment to remember for the non-league side, while Tuchel will be encouraged by the cup performances he has seen from his side this week against Tottenham and Chesterfield.
