Chelsea are safely through to the 5th Round of the FA Cup after a thoroughly professional display against Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Goals from Willian, Pedro, Branislav Ivanovic and Michy Batshuayi contributed to a 4-0 victory in a match that showed no signs of producing a famous FA Cup upset.
Wycombe’s performance at Spurs and Wolves’ at Anfield on Saturday showed that lower league opposition are more than capable of playing beyond themselves to potentially shock top English teams so Antonio Conte will be happy that his rotated side dealt with the Bees with no problem.
The Blues are looking increasingly capable of delivering a massive league and cup double in Antonio Conte’s first season and while there’s definitely plenty of work left to do, who would bet against it?
Here are the FIVE photos that summed up all of Saturday’s action…
Willian’s beauty
Willian got Chelsea off to a flyer with a perfect free-kick from 25 years flying into the back of the net. It was a typical contribution from the Brazilian who now has four goals in his last four starts for the club.
He was one of the chief architects of the Blues’ win, combining excellently with his teammates throughout the match.
The winger probably hasn’t had quite as much first team football as he’d like this season but performances like this, even though against lower league opposition, will do little to hurt his chances of forcing his way into Conte’s first choice XI.
Precise Pedro
Pedro is having a brilliant season in a Chelsea shirt and scored his 8th goal of the season to kill the game off at 2-0 with just over 20 minutes gone in the game.
Like most of the players who started, this was a chance for him to impress Antonio Conte in an effort to start more regularly and definitely will have done so.
The Chelsea fans were certainly delighted with his contribution. He’s now scored more goals in his limited appearances this season than he did in the entirety of the 2015/16 campaign.
Chelsea’s depth is second to none in England and Pedro is proof of that.
Inspired Ivanovic
Branislav Ivanovic doesn’t score many for Chelsea so his precise finish will be a cherished memory for the defender. It was his first goal of the season and only his 34th for the club in over 375 appearances for the club.
He took it well and although there was no danger of Brentford finding their way back into the game, it brought the Chelsea fans to their feet after a number of missed chances in the second half.
This is Ivanovic’s 10th season at Stamford Bridge and it’s reported he could be leaving the Blues before the transfer window ends. If that’s the case then this was the perfect end to a fine Chelsea career.
Batshuayi determined
Michy Batshuayi may not have made the impact fans hoped for after his arrival last summer but the striker can only keep doing what’s asked of him from Antonio Conte.
The Belgian was a constant problem for Brentford throughout the match and could have even had one or two more.
He’ll have to settle for his penalty and assist and hope that’s enough for Antonio Conte to give him his first Premier League start in the weeks and months to come.
Captain’s delight
John Terry hasn’t played many games for Chelsea this season but rolled back the years on Saturday, looking solid throughout the 90 minutes.
He’s hoping he has the opportunity to lift more silverware in potentially his last season at the club. What a a way it would be to bow out of life at Chelsea by winning a league and cup double.
He made amends for his red card against Peterborough and will be hoping to start in the 5th Round too. Is he the man to lead the Blues to a massive Wembley date in May?