5 talking points as Chelsea thrash Preston to earn place in FA Cup fourth round
Chelsea booked their place in the FA Cup fourth round after a clinical second-half performance saw them beat Preston 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino's side dominated possession during the opening stages and created a couple of opportunities to take the lead. The best of those fell to Cole Palmer, who was found by Enzo Fernandez, but ex-Manchester City man dinked his effort wide. Fernandez then squandered a huge chance himself, as he headed straight at Freddie Woodman from close-range.
Preston defended superbly up until the 58th minute when Chelsea opened the scoring through Armando Broja. Shortly after, the Blues doubled their advantage as Thiago Silva headed home.
Raheem Sterling then added a third to all but secure Chelsea's spot in the fourth round, before Fernandez wrapped up a comfortable victory late on. Here are five talking points from the game.
Broja takes opportunity
With Nicolas Jackson absent due to the Africa Cup of Nations, Armando Broja was handed an opportunity to lead the line. The ex-Southampton loanee had struggled for form of late, scoring one goal in 14 appearances since returning from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury.
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However, despite being on the periphery for the vast majority of the first hour, Broja came to life to the 58th minute as he opened the scoring for Chelsea. Malo Gusto's in swinging cross was met by Broja, who glanced the ball into the far corner, giving goalkeeper Freddie Woodman no chance.
Moments later, the 22-year-old then missed a golden opportunity to add his and Chelsea's second, but he couldn't convert Mykhaylo Mudryk's cross. Broja's evening ended in the 76th minute, as he was replaced by 18-year-old Deivid Washington, who joined the Blues from Santos in August.
Armando Broja celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Preston (Getty Images)Sublime Sterling strike
After being left on the bench for Chelsea's 3-2 win over Luton last weekend, Sterling returned to the starting XI against Preston with a point to prove. The England international was booed by sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd during the first-half but he showed exactly what he can do in the second 45.
With Chelsea 2-0 up, Sterling stood over a free-kick around 25 yards out. The 29-year-old stepped up and delightfully struck the ball over the wall and beyond a hapless Woodman. It was a sublime strike from Sterling, who now has seven goals in all competitions and will be hoping to keep his place in the side for the visit of Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring a free-kick for Chelsea (Getty Images)Gilchrist handed full debut
Having impressed from the bench against Luton last time out, Alfie Gilchrist was handed his first Chelsea start against Preston. The 20-year-old, who made his debut in the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on December 27, started on the right side of the back four alongside Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto.
It's safe to say Gilchrist impressed on his full Chelsea debut. He looked comfortable and composed in possession and provided a threat in attack, supporting Raheem Sterling on the right-hand side. Defensively, Gilchrist also didn't look amiss as he showed his quality on a number of occasions.
Alfie Gilchrist made his first Chelsea start against Preston (Getty Images)Rare Silva goal
Having started the game on the bench, Thiago Silva was introduced in the 61st minute for Gilchrist and the Brazilian made an impact almost instantly after coming on. Goalscoring isn't something Silva is known for, but the former Paris Saint-Germain defender doubled the Blues' lead mid-way through the second period.
Silva's strike came from a superb cross from Cole Palmer, with the winger delivering the ball on a place for Silva, who powered the ball into the back of the net. It was Silva's second goal of the season and his seventh for Chelsea since signing on a free transfer from PSG in 2020.
Good start to January
Ahead of an critical month in Chelsea's season, Pochettino would have been hoping his side could produce a performance to back up successive victories over Palace and Luton. And although it took them 58 minutes to open the scoring against Preston, the Blues won comfortably in the end.
Before the end of January, Chelsea take on Middlesbrough in a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final, face two crucial Premier League fixtures and an FA Cup fourth round tie.
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The Blues have not won a major trophy since 2021 and will be eyeing up the Carabao Cup as one they can win, with Liverpool set to face Fulham in the other last-four match up. In the league, Chelsea host Fulham next weekend, before a trip to Liverpool on January 31. Pochettino's side will find out who they will face next the FA Cup on Monday, with the fourth round set to take place on the weekend of January 27.
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