Chelsea 5-0 Morecambe: Match Report & Talking Points from FA Cup Dominance

Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix each scored twice in a comfortable Chelsea win.
Christopher Nkunku missed a penalty but redeemed himself with a goal.
Chelsea’s B-team showcased mixed performances against fourth-tier opposition.

Chelsea breezed into the FA Cup fourth round with a commanding 5-0 victory over League Two side Morecambe at Stamford Bridge. While the scoreline suggests a straightforward affair, it was only in the second half that Chelsea found their rhythm, scoring three goals in seven minutes to put the game well beyond reach.

Despite the dominant win, not all of Enzo Maresca’s fringe players took the opportunity to shine, leaving questions over their readiness for Premier League action.

Match Summary

Chelsea began the match as overwhelming favorites, penning Morecambe into their own half for most of the opening stages. However, their early dominance didn’t translate into goals, with Christopher Nkunku squandering a penalty after Morecambe captain Yann Songo’o conceded it for a bizarre handball. Nkunku’s tame effort was saved by Harry Burgoyne, who had a strong first half.

Chelsea finally broke the deadlock in the 40th minute when Tosin Adarabioyo’s speculative shot deflected off Callum Jones and into the net.

The second half saw a much sharper Chelsea. Nkunku made amends for his earlier miss by tapping in a rebound just five minutes after the restart. From there, Morecambe’s resistance collapsed. Adarabioyo scored his second goal with a clean strike from distance, and Joao Felix capped off the rout with a quickfire brace, including a curling finish into the top corner.

Morecambe managed a rare foray forward late on, but Hallam Hope’s effort was comfortably gathered by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

Talking Points

Nkunku’s Frustrations Persist

Christopher Nkunku’s missed penalty seemed to weigh heavily on him, despite later finding the net. The French forward, who has excelled in cup competitions this season, has struggled to establish himself in the Premier League starting XI. Rumors of a potential move to Barcelona continue to swirl, and his body language on Saturday suggested dissatisfaction with his current role at Chelsea.

VAR Controversy Lingers

No VAR in the FA Cup third round means this penalty wasn't retaken 😶#BBCFACup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/4lhv4H6JM7
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 11, 2025

Nkunku’s penalty miss highlighted the absence of VAR in the FA Cup third round. Burgoyne appeared to step off his line before making the save, but without video review, Chelsea were denied a retake. The lack of consistency in VAR usage across the competition remains a contentious issue, with the technology only being introduced from the fifth round onwards.

Marc Guiu Fails to Impress

Marc Guiu, who had been in fine form heading into the match, was largely anonymous against Morecambe. The former Barcelona forward managed just 11 touches throughout the game, the fewest of any outfield player. With Nicolas Jackson struggling for form, this was an opportunity for Guiu to stake his claim for more minutes in the Premier League, but he failed to deliver.

Joao Felix and Tosin Shine

Joao Felix and Tosin Adarabioyo were the standout performers, with both players scoring twice. Felix’s second goal, a curling strike into the top corner, highlighted his technical brilliance, while Adarabioyo impressed not only in defense but also with his offensive contributions.