Chelsea continued to find solace in the domestic cups after putting in a commanding performance as goals from Connor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez secured a comfortable 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday, booking a tie in fifth FA Cup round with Leeds. United.
Despite securing a place in this month's Carabao Cup final, the Blues' successive Premier League defeats to Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers had increased the pressure on manager Mauricio Pochettino ahead of the midweek trip to Villa Park. However, on one of their best nights of the season so far, Chelsea produced an eye-catching display to exploit a leggy Villa side whose only goal came through Moussa Diaby in injury time, at which point the Blues had long since secured safe passage. to the round of 16.
Both teams looked to advance in an open start to the match, but it was the visitors who achieved that goal after 11 minutes, when a spring-loaded attack down the left flank culminated in Noni Madueke kicking the ball back for Gallagher to place a penalty. He finishes in Emiliano Martínez's corner. Before Villa could seriously consider how to find their way back into the game, Chelsea doubled their lead when Jackson, back from the African Cup of Nations with Senegal, deftly headed in Malo Gusto's excellent cross from the right.
With Madueke in sensational form for the visitors, Villa were unable to concentrate solely on attacking but repeatedly found themselves susceptible to lightning counter-attacks. Fernandez, meanwhile, had imperious control both in and out of possession, aided and abetted by Gallagher and Moisés Caicedo in midfield, meaning the hosts never came close to controlling the result.
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The first half ended with some booing from the home fans, but no one inside Villa Park with any knowledge of the form book would have ruled out a change of tack in the second half. Instead, the Blues went further ahead before the hour when Fernandez won and then sumptuously converted a 25-yard free kick that arced magnificently into Martinez's top corner.
Constantly aware of Chelsea's threat at half-time, Villa were unable to sustain any kind of significant threat until the closing stages of the match, with Álex Moreno heading in the hosts' last weak chance to spark an improbable comeback before Diaby rolled in a calm attempt. inside the post in added time. For the Blues, an increasingly unpredictable campaign, against all odds, provided another unexpected night of cup happiness.
Positives
Everywhere he looked, Pochettino would have approved. Relentless running and effort underpinned the entire team's display, but Jackson's return from international duty, allied to one of Madueke's best performances since arriving at Stamford Bridge and Cole Palmer's wandering danger, transformed the team's attack. Chelsea and provided an overly sharp vanguard. for Villa to handle. In midfield, the partnership of Fernández and Caicedo also shined, providing an impenetrable shield for a blue defense that rarely struggled.
Negatives
In a season where bad moments and mistakes have always lurked around the corner, the Blues produced one of their most complete performances to date, with no flaw in sight, although losing a clean sheet in the Injury time was as bad as it got.
Manager rating out of 10
8– Provoked by Wolves fans on Sunday by the specter of looming unemployment, Pochettino inspired his team to deliver the perfect response against all the odds. From the pre-match meeting it was clear that Chelsea were fired up and every player on the pitch made a big change for their manager. Tactically, Pochettino's messages were heard loud and clear, and the timing of the goals allowed the Argentine to calmly execute his game plan: advance, then contain and counterattack.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, 7– Lively and alert with two routine saves as Villa pushed for a quick equalizer but otherwise faced nothing of note until having to tip away John McGinn's shot in first-half stoppage time. Warning for loss of time, as the Blues astutely managed the second half, until Diaby's consolation in the last action.
DF Bad Taste, 8 — He attracted attention at all times with his energy on the right flank. He was never in danger in defense and was always willing to provide support in attack, especially when he provided an excellent assist to Jackson to double the Blues' lead.
Defense Axel Disasi, 7 — A change of defensive partner as Benoit Badiashile replaced Thiago Silva, but Disasi was unfazed. Smooth in the air and calm on deck, the two Frenchmen were expertly protected by their midfield enforcers throughout, although he made a key late block to deny McGinn.
DF Benoît Badiashile, 7 — Like Disasi, he could count the benefits of the work done by Caicedo and Fernandez, and rarely looked flustered as a result, even if he occasionally wasted balls forward.
Defense Ben Chilwell, 7 — Named captain with Silva confined to the bench. He accepted the challenge of chaining down the in-form Leon Bailey in a defensive sense and always looked to move forward to provide attacking support.
MF Conor Gallagher, 8 years old — With a brilliant first shot he managed to break the deadlock, without giving Martínez a chance with his shot towards the top corner. The main moment of a performance based on sweat-soaked effort and an insightful reading of the work.
MF Moisés Caicedo, 8 — Equal parts guts and glory. A constant blanket of consolation for his defense and astute interchangeability with Fernandez laid the foundations for Chelsea's unexpectedly easy progress.
MF Enzo Fernández, 9 — Key role in Gallagher's first goal, first pushing Boubacar Kamara down an alley and then sparking the attack, followed later by a sensational free kick. The celebration of him in which he pointed out his name, not to mention a sublime and complete display, served as a reminder of his enormous talent.
Forward Noni Madueke, 8 years old — A terror to the Villa defense at all times, they embarked on a series of high-speed slalom runs into dangerous areas. He brought much of the energy and ambition that has been sorely missing from the Blues' attack of late.
Forward Nicolas Jackson, 8 years old — Making his first start since December following Senegal's AFCON exit, the 22-year-old added a real threat to Chelsea's attack, featuring in the first and clinically nodding in the second. He also made an admirable defensive shift.
Forward Cole Palmer, 7 years old — He constantly fell off the hosts' radar, appearing all over the forward line and giving Villa's defense a permanent headache. Will will regret the missed scoring opportunities, but he can be happy with his turn.
Substitutes
Forward Raheem Sterling, N/R — He spent the final 15 minutes in place of the dynamic Madueke, at which point his job was largely defensive back-up.
Defense Thiago Silva, N/R — Left on the bench after the Blues' recent spate of concessions, the veteran entered the fray for the final 10 minutes to close out the victory.
Defense Alfie Gilchrist, N/R — The young blue continued his education, savoring the final moments of a great victory.
FW Christopher Nkunku, N/R — He dropped for Jackson's return, but made a late cameo for the final exchanges.
