Chelsea overcame a spirited Morecambe side to secure a 5-0 victory in the FA Cup third round, but the scoreline belied the challenges they faced early on. Despite the 87-place gulf between the Premier League giants and their League Two opponents, Morecambe proved a stubborn obstacle, frustrating Chelsea for much of the first half at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues, seeking to end a four-match winless streak, struggled to find their rhythm. Morecambe goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne, taking full advantage of the absence of VAR, made a spectacular save off Christopher Nkunku’s early penalty, keeping the underdogs in contention. This moment, along with Filip Jorgensen’s nervy fumble that nearly gifted Morecambe a shock lead, set an uneasy tone for Chelsea.
It took a moment of individual brilliance from reserve defender Tosin Adarabioyo to break the deadlock late in the first half. The 27-year-old unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the penalty area, sparking a collective sigh of relief from the home crowd. Moments later, Nkunku redeemed himself with a second goal, calmly finishing after an earlier miss from the spot.
In the second half, Chelsea asserted their dominance. Joao Felix, handed a rare start, showcased his attacking flair with two well-taken goals, proving instrumental in sealing the result. Adarabioyo doubled his tally with another long-range effort, cementing Chelsea’s place in the fourth round.
Though the final scoreline suggests a comfortable win, Morecambe’s tenacity in the first half gave Chelsea plenty to think about. Their defensive organization and moments of attacking intent briefly made the League Two side look like equals to their Premier League counterparts.
For Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, this win provided much-needed respite, but the team’s initial struggles highlighted areas for improvement as they aim to compete on multiple fronts. Meanwhile, Morecambe can hold their heads high, departing with pride after making Chelsea sweat under the Stamford Bridge lights.
With the FA Cup fourth round now in sight, Chelsea will need to sharpen their form to maintain their pursuit of silverware.
