Chelsea Grind Past Morecambe Into FA Cup Fourth Round After Initial Struggle

Chelsea overcame a spirited Morecambe side to secure a 4-0 victory and advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup. Despite fielding a strong starting lineup, the Blues struggled to break down the League One outfit in the first half. However, goals from Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Romelu Lukaku, and Callum Hudson-Odoi in the second period ensured a comfortable win for the holders.

A Tale of Two Halves

Morecambe, who had already knocked out Championship side Huddersfield in the previous round, started the match brightly and frustrated Chelsea with their compact defense. The Blues dominated possession but lacked creativity and struggled to create clear-cut chances. Kepa Arrizabalaga was forced into a smart save by Anthony O'Connor in the first half as Morecambe threatened on the counterattack.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel made several changes at halftime, bringing on Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic. The substitutions had an immediate impact as the Blues attacked with more purpose and intensity. Mount opened the scoring just moments after the restart with a deflected shot, and Ziyech doubled the lead shortly after with a composed finish. Lukaku added a third midway through the second half, heading home from Willian's cross, and Hudson-Odoi sealed the victory with a late strike.

Morecambe's Resilience

Despite the eventual scoreline, Morecambe can take heart from their performance. The League One side defended resolutely and made life difficult for Chelsea for long periods. Manager Stephen Robinson praised his players for their efforts and said they could be proud of their display against one of England's top clubs.

"We gave them a fright in the first half," Robinson said. "We had a great game plan, and we executed it well. We knew we had to be compact and defend well, and we did that. We also had some good chances to score. It was a great performance from my players. They can be proud of themselves."

Chelsea's Quest to Retain Trophy

Chelsea will now face Luton Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Blues are the holders of the trophy and will be keen to retain it this season. Tuchel has already won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup during his time at Chelsea, and he will be eager to add another trophy to his collection.

Chelsea's victory over Morecambe was not without its struggles, but it ultimately extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions. The Blues will be confident heading into the fourth round as they look to book their place in the last 16.

Conclusion

Chelsea's victory over Morecambe was a tale of two halves. The Blues struggled to break down the League One side in the first half but came out with more purpose and intensity in the second half. Goals from Mount, Ziyech, Lukaku, and Hudson-Odoi secured a comfortable win for the holders. Morecambe can take heart from their performance, and they can be proud of their display against one of England's top clubs.

Chelsea's quest to retain the FA Cup continues with a fourth-round tie against Luton Town. The Blues will be confident heading into the match as they look to book their place in the last 16.

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