Final Score: Chelsea 4-0 Morecambe
Timo Werner ended his scoring drought in Chelsea’s belatedly comfortable victory over Morecambe, to see them into the FA Cup fourth round for a 23rd consecutive time.
Werner tapped in his first in 13 matches just before half time after fellow big-money German Kai Havertz had nodded a Hakim Ziyech ball into his path.
Despite suggestions of youth involvement, it was a distinctly senior-squad Chelsea who started, looking to gain some confidence after their poor run.
However, Morecambe nearly opened the scoring 11 minutes in when Adam Phillips hit a cross-shot which almost caught Kepa Arrizabalaga out, the embattled keeper, making his 100th Chelsea appearance, doing well to readjust and stop his momentum carrying the ball over the line.
Mason Mount eventually put Chelsea ahead when he arrowed an 18th-minute shot into the bottom corner from distance on his 22nd birthday.
Chelsea were sloppy until goals either side of half time settled them.
Embed from Getty ImagesZiyech found Havertz for Werner’s goal on 44 minutes, then he found Callum Hudson-Odoi’s well-timed run in the 49th, allowing the England winger to blast home.
Chelsea dominated thereafter; an excellent Mark Halstead double-save denying Havertz and Christian Pulisic.
Late substitutions saw rare appearances from Fikayo Tomori and Tino Anjorin, but although Havertz headed an 85th-minute fourth from a Cesar Azpilicueta cross, Chelsea were unable to threaten the 7-0 score line Newcastle reached against Morecambe in the Carabao Cup.
Frank Lampard will hope goals for Werner and Havertz in a straightforward win will help put Chelsea back on track.
Click here to read Ryan Moran’s preview of the match.
Click here for more football content, and here for more sport.
