Jorrel Hato scored after just 64 seconds as Chelsea thrashed League One's bottom side Port Vale 7-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals. The victory keeps alive Chelsea's hopes of silverware amid a turbulent season, though the mismatch was evident from the start.
Liam Rosenior's side took control early, with Hato's opener coming from a corner scramble. João Pedro doubled the lead with a composed finish, and Cole Palmer forced an own goal for 3-0 before half-time. The second half saw further goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Estêvão Willian, and substitute Alejandro Garnacho from the penalty spot.
The game was overshadowed by Rosenior's decision to drop vice-captain Enzo Fernández after he publicly expressed interest in joining Real Madrid during the international break. Fernández watched from the stands as Chelsea cruised to victory.
Port Vale, 15 points adrift of safety in League One, were never in contention. Their 6,000 travelling fans cheered rare moments of possession but saw their side overwhelmed by a Chelsea team worth £439.8m in transfer fees, compared to Vale's free-transfer XI.
Rosenior made three changes from the side that lost to Everton, resting Marc Cucurella and Moisés Caicedo. The win provides a brief respite ahead of a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City next Sunday.
