Enzo Maresca hailed a “professional” performance from his players as Chelsea comfortably beat League Two Morecambe 5-0 in the FA Cup Third Round.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix both hit the posts, while Christopher Nkunku, who saw a first-half penalty saved, also scored to ensure no cup upset at Stamford Bridge.
Eighty-seven places separate the two sides in the English football pyramid and, ultimately, the gulf in quality was evident as Maresca’s side progressed to the Fourth Round in convincing fashion.
Moving on to his fourth round #EmiratesFACup! 🏆#CFC pic.twitter.com/Eqw9mWrJdd
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 11, 2025
Speaking after the game, Maresca said: “It was a good afternoon in terms of the win, that’s important. Also, the performance in this kind of games shows how serious and professional we are.
“The FA Cup is an important event. Since we started, we try to treat every competition the same way. We try to do our best in every match.”
The Chelsea boss, who took the opportunity to make wholesale changes to the starting line-up, revealed that Nonny Maduec has missed the game due to illness.
Maresca also agreed on the need to be patient with the fitness of returning players such as Rhys James, and added that Nkunku and Felix will let their football do the talking.
“The idea is to slowly build the right situation,” Maresca said. “Especially with Reece (James), we have to be a little more careful. He and Romeo (Lavia) finished well without a problem. We have to help them get into the right situation.
“Christo (Nkunku) and Joao (Felix) didn’t knock on the door or ask anything, but they don’t need to.”
Next up for Chelsea is the visit of Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday.
