Chelsea player ratings: Tyrique George thrives in rare run-out but Marc Guiu anonymous in FA Cup demolition job
TOSIN ADARABIOYO’S shock double helped Chelsea cruise past League Two strugglers Morecambe to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Morecambe’s low block had frustrated the Blues with Christopher Nkunku scuffing an early penalty.
It threatened to be an onslaught after 10 Chelsea attempts in the opening 20 minutes, but Morecambe stood firm for 39 minutes.
Until Tosin’s deflected potshot strike broke Morecambe’s stubborn shape and lifted the mood among the anxious home fans.
A quick and sleek Chelsea move doubled their lead shortly after half-time, before Tosin’s long range beauty finished Morecambe off.
Two goals from Joao Felix added to Chelsea’s tally to seal the Premier League side’s place in the next round.
Morecambe didn’t come in hot – they are 91st in the pyramid and sit second bottom of League Two, with only Carlisle below them.
Here SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rates the Chelsea players at Stamford Bridge.
Filip Jorgensen – 6
Never really troubled in the Chelsea net and made a couple of comfortable collections.
Made time to showboat with some pretty flicks, but dropped the ball in a dangerous position a few minutes later.
Reece James – 7
England fullback lapped up the perfect chance to get his first start since November 3.
Assisted Chelsea’s first after offloading the ball to Tosin and was swapped out at half-time, to most lucky protect his fitness.
Axel Disasi – 6
Turned inside out for a one rare Morecambe attack, but challenged very little throughout the game.
Saw himself in prime position to nab a back post header, but missed the sitter to make it 3-0 just after leaning back on the hour mark.
Some good passes through to his midfielders but otherwise unable to influence the action much from the back line
Tosin Adarabioyo – 8
Many would have been shocked he was left out at Palace but the defender effectively secured Chelsea’s place in the next round.
His fluke shot broke the deadlock from a wicked deflection off Morecamebe’s Callum Jones, who naively turned his back.
But his second was nothing short of sensational after he curled it in from 30 yards. Pick that out your net.
Renato Veiga – 5
Veiga, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent days, often wasn’t strong enough against Ben Tollitt.
Was unlucky to see his effort saved but his shot dropped back to Nknuku who scored.
Romeo Lavia – 5
A quiet 45 minutes for the Frenchman, who was switched with Marc Cucurella at half-time.
Joao Felix – 6
Involved in the early Chelsea pressure with a several shots just wide inside the first 30 minutes.
But cut a frustrated figure after Burgoyne repeatedly kept the Portugal star at bay before he made it 4-0 in the 75th minute.
Pedro Neto – 5
Off at HT for Sancho
Christopher Nkunku – 6
Perhaps dented his hopes of a Premier League start after his limp penalty was easily saved by keeper Harry Burgoyne’s full stretch.
The League Two stopper looked to have been marginally off his line, but it was a weak shot nonetheless.
The Frenchman made up for it after rifling the ball into the low corner to double Chelsea’s lead five minutes after the break.
Tyrique George – 7
Grabbed his rare start by the scruff of the neck with some clever footwork and crosses inside the box.
The youngster who has more than impressed in his time at Chelsea so far was probably their most eloquent attacker on the afternoon.
The teenager was involved in the second after quickly feeding the ball to Cucurella, who teed up Veiga’s blocked shot into the path of goalscorer Nknuku.
And assisted Joao Felix’s first goal, which made it 4-0, after a fast break.
Marc Guiu – 4
Only had three touches in the first-half but was starved of service.
Subs
Gusto (’46 James)
Struggled to get into the game as his team-mates ran rampant in the second half.
Cucurella (‘ 46 Lavia)
The Premier League starter added some much needed impetus after half-time.
The Spain star grabbed two assists, first for Nkunku and later for Felix’s second and Chelsea’s fifth.
Had a couple of shots marginally go wide on several occasions.