Chelsea score seven in quarter-final thrashing of Port Vale

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Chelsea crushed Port Vale to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

Jorrel Hato fired home from six yards after just 66 seconds, following a poorly defended corner, and Joao Pedro’s smart turn and close-range finish made it 2-0 after great work by Pedro Neto on the left.

Cole Palmer, captain in the absence of Reece James, and because of Enzo Fernandez’s two-game club ban, forced Chelsea’s third just before the break when followed up Malo Gusto’s strike and pressured Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel into turning the ball into his own net.

Tosin Adarabioyo headed the fourth from Neto’s beautifully dinked cross, Andrey Santos met Estavao’s inviting corner to nod in the fifth with just over 20 minutes left, and Estavao tapped in the sixth after substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s shot hit the post.

And Garnacho steered home the seventh from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Tyler Magloire in injury-time.

Vale, playing at the quarter-final stage for the first time since 1954, were combative and willing but barely threatened to give the 6,000 unrelentingly noisy away fans a goal – or even a shot on target – to celebrate.

Chelsea’s victory earned a Wembley appearance in the last four and put an end to a miserable four-match losing run, was the first win since the 4-2 extra-time FA Cup success over Championship promotion hopefuls Wrexham in early March.

But although convincing and routine – and at times impressive – it was a win with a disclaimer given Vale’s position at the bottom of League One, a full 15 points from safety.

The margin of victory could still have been higher, however. Palmer had a goalbound shot blocked after three minutes and was twice denied by Vale keeper Joe Gauci after the break.

Estevao, back in the starting line-up after injury, twice saw strikes hit the post after the interval and Garnacho wastefully blazed an effort over from close range.

Aside from the late goals by Estavao and Garnacho, the highlight of the closing stages was a Chelsea debut for 17-year-old winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, who looked lively in what little he saw of the ball.

And having not scored in their past three games, the resounding victory will help boost fragile confidence prior to crucial home Premier League games against Manchester City and Manchester United.

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Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Adarabioyo, Hato, Lavia [Kavuma-McQueen, 78], Santos, Estevao, Palmer [Essugo 62], Neto [Garnacho, 61], Joao Pedro [Delap, 61].
Subs not used: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Sarr, Cucurella, Caicedo.