Rosenior targets a great end to the season for Chelsea after the Blues reach the FA Cup semi-final with commanding win over Port Vale

Pensioners v Valiants at Stamford Bridge. Pic by @JTaylorSport

Chelsea 7-0 Port Vale

‘We’re on our way to Wembley’.

The big screens at Stamford Bridge wasted no time in reassuring the Chelsea rank and file as the Blues eased into the FA Cup semi finals with a handsome victory over Port Vale.

A professional demonstration of the gulf between the Premier League and League One was very much in evidence, on a day that Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior relished in the wake of four straight losses.

Billed as the clash between the club with the £1.5bn squad and the club rooted to the foot of League One, the 7-0 triumph for the west Londoners was of no surprise in the end as Vale, destined to go down to League Two next term, were outclassed.

The Valiants battled hard, especially in the first half, only to lose their defensive discipline at crucial moments to make Chelsea’s job notably easier. A trio of goals in the first half by Jorrel Hato, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer, alongside further goals by Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho later, booked another step towards a much desired final appearance for Rosenior’s outfit.

“I was happy with the application of the players and the way we passed the ball and our intensity”, said Rosenior afterwards.

“We will go forward and try and have a great end to the season. “It has been a really important week for myself and the staff in an international week. I’ve still got a group of players who believe we can still have an outstanding season, in winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League".

Disciplinary

If the recent defeats – including a brace against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League – weren’t bad enough for Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez felt the disciplinary wrath of the head coach in the build up to the cup tie, due to apparently speaking inappropriately regarding his future at the club. The Argentine has a couple of games on the sidelines to reflect on how he fits in with the ‘culture’ of Chelsea, according to the Blues’ boss.

“He’s a top, top guy, but now I want to focus on the football and what we want to achieve this season”, Rosenior explained.

“I saw Enzo today and had a good conversation with him and things aren’t what people maybe think they are”.

Dropping the vice-captain was unlikely to trigger any shocking ramifications ahead of facing Vale, who are propping up League One and arrived in the capital as an outfit with absolutely nothing to lose. Having knocked Sunderland out of the tournament, this was, incredibly, the first time the teams had met in 97 years. The Valiants won that particular game – but after Hato put Chelsea ahead with less than two minutes gone the outcome was never in doubt, despite Vale responding well enough to the initial setback in front of 6,000 travelling fans.

The idea of Chelsea exiting the cup at home to Jon Brady’s side was simply unthinkable. Under the late afternoon sun, Hato provided necessary breathing space for Rosenior. The Dutchman foraged forward and slammed the ball into the net from six yards out after the visitors’ defence failed to clear a corner.

Chelsea doubled their lead in the 24^th minute, courtesy of a well-taken finish by Pedro. From a low cross by Pedro Neto on the right, the striker turned and, despite the close attention of Vale’s Kyle John, fired low into the corner of the net.

Comabative

Despite a combative showing in the first half, the League One strugglers could not disguise deficiencies at the back. Consequently, Chelsea added a third with a couple of minutes to go before the interval. With the Blues breaking at speed, Vale keeper Joe Gaudi failed to hold a shot by Malo Gusto, before Palmer, captain for the day, was alert to stab home.

As expected, confidence coursed around the home players, with the goal tally giving those such as Estevao ideal licence to roam. The Brazilian and Palmer both looked lively – and a fourth goal, in 57 minutes, was inevitable.

On this occasion, it was Adarabioyo weighing in. The rangy Blues stopper powered forward and leaped above Vale’s Connor Hall to head home Neto’s cross.

Rosenior took the opportunity to make changes, and game time was afforded to the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Dario Essugo and Liam Delap.

That freshness paid off with Chelsea adding another goal, made in Brazil, in 68 minutes. Another header, this time by Santos from Estavao’s corner. Former Vasco Da Gama midfielder Santos outjumped Gaudi to nod in from close range.

The west Londoners added a sixth, after a VAR check for possible offside, as Vale’s exertions got the better of them. Estevao nabbed the goal his performance deserved, forcing the ball under Gauci from a precise pass by Hato.

When luck eludes you – as it did in the final minute, when Chelsea were awarded a penalty after Tyler Magloire impeded Garnacho – the scoreline became harsher still for Vale. Garnacho slotted home the resultant spot kick.

A comfortable, if unsurprising, cup rout, therefore, on a day when Stamford Bridge remembered Ray Wilkins, one of Chelsea’s finest ever sons, who sadly passed away on this day eight years ago.

“Our next game is in eight days and this is a week where I can fully work with the players”, said Rosenior, who also made sure to praise Palmer’s contribution and a positive assessment of his captaincy. “I will think about Wembley when we are there but the focus is now on Manchester City next Sunday.

Some respite amid a challenging season for Chelsea, currently sixth in the Premier League table. The visit of title chasing City to Stamford Bridge next weekend will provide an altogether more taxing proposition.

Blues: Sanchez, Adarabioyo, Neto (Garnacho 60), Palmer (Delap 60), Santos. Pedro (Essugo 60), Hato, Gusto (Acheampong 84), Fofana, Estevao, Lavia (Kavuma-McQueen 78)