The Blues claimed a crushing home win to reach the FA Cup’s fourth round.
Chelsea defeated Preston 4-0 in their FA Cup game on Saturday. A fantastic attacking display in the second half ensured the Blues’ victory at Stamford Bridge.
What happened?
Chelsea’s push to score an early opener wasn’t successful, as the hosts missed two excellent opportunities to get ahead. Preston also had their own chances to break the deadlock, with Milutin Osmajić’s precise low shot being saved by Dorde Petrovic.
The dynamic of the game changed after the break as Chelsea doubled down on their pressure and increased the pace of the game. First, Armando Broja made it 1-0 for the hosts with a header in the 58th minute.
The hosts then took control over the game to push for their second goal. Only eight minutes after Broja’s goal, Thiago Silva doubled his side’s lead by converting a brilliant corner from Cole Palmer.
Preston’s backline was already in chaos when Raheem Sterling added his name to the scoresheet with a spectacular free-kick in the 69th minute. Chelsea’s victory was complete when Enzo Fernandez made it 4-0 in the 85th minute.
Chelsea vs Preston: Man of the Match
Raheem Sterling made a fantastic display for Chelsea as they defeated Preston to reach the FA Cup’s fourth round. The English star directly contributed to his side’s third and fourth goals while registering a 93% passing accuracy.
Player Ratings
Chelsea: Petrovic (7), Gilchrist (7), Disasi (7), Colwill (7), Gusto (7), Caicedo (7), Fernandez (8), Sterling (9), Palmer (7), Mudryk (6), Broja (8).
Bench: Silva (7), Madueke (6), Gallagher (7), Washington (7), Golding (6).
Preston: Woodman (6), Storey (7), Lindsay (5), Hughes (6), Whiteman (6), Potts (7), McCann (5), Millar (6), Keane (6), Browne (5), Osmajic (6).
Bench: Evans (5), Jacobsen (6), Best (6), Ledson (6), Holmes (6).