Michy Batshuayi double sends Chelsea past Newcastle
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ByEurosport
Updated 28/01/2018 at 21:14 GMT
FA Cup fourth round, Stamford Bridge - Chelsea 3 (Batshuayi 31, 44, Alonso 71) Newcastle United 0
Chelsea's Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi (2nd R) celebrates with teammates
Image credit: Getty Images
Michy Batshuayi scored twice as Chelsea secured their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Newcastle.
With Alvaro Morata unavailable, the Belgian was given only his 10th start of the season and he made the most of a rare opportunity.
Newcastle started well but after a spluttering opening half-hour, Chelsea took the advantage after a delightful team move - involving Pedro, Eden Hazard and Marcos Alonso - was finished by Batshuayi.
Willy Caballero - who replaced Thibaut Courtois in goal - was in inspired form, pulling off a couple of decent saves to deny Jonjo Shelvey, and Newcastle's lack of proficiency in attack was punished when Batshuayi grabbed his brace in fortuitous fashion on the stroke of half-time.
The two-goal deficit knocked the stuffing out of Newcastle and after the interval the hosts improved. Pedro went close to adding a third before Alonso's splendid free-kick from the edge of the penalty area put the game beyond Rafa Benitez's side.
Chelsea played out the remainder of the match in first gear as they easily booked a place in Monday's fifth round draw.
TALKING POINT
Under pressure Blues ease into the last 16 - Chelsea had only won once in 90 minutes in 2018 - a victory over Brighton in the Premier League - and Conte has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of signings in both the summer and window transfer windows. Lifting some silverware would certainly ease the pressure on the Italian and having drawn Barcelona in the Champions League, the FA Cup seems the most realistic trophy for the Blues to target. With this result, they remain on course for lifting the cup for the first time since 2012.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea) - So often overlooked by Conte, but the Belgian already has 10 goals to his name this season despite only playing a bit-part for the Blues. Is it time the Belgian forward is given a run of games to prove his worth?
PLAYER RATINGS
Chelsea: Caballero 7, Rudiger 7, Christensen 7, Cahill 6, Zappacosta 7, Drinkwater 6, Kante 6, Alonso 8, Pedro 7, Batshuayi 9, Hazard 8. Subs: Eduardo, Ampadu 5, Moses, Fabregas, Barkley 5, Musonda, Hudson-Odoi 5.
Newcastle: Darlow 7, Manquillo 5, Mbemba 7, Lascelles 5, Clark 5, Haidara 7, Shelvey 5, Saivet 5, Hayden 7, Ritchie 7, Gayle 4. Subs: Atsu 5, Murphy 5, Joselu 5.
KEY MOMENTS
31' - GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle (Batshuayi): Despite a spluttering start, the Blues take the lead! It all stems from an inch-perfect pass from Pedro to release Hazard on the right side of the box, he knocks it back for Alonso and the ball is squared for Batshuayi who taps the ball into a gaping net.
44' - GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle (Batshuayi): Newcastle give possession away cheaply in the centre of the pitch, the ball is worked to Hazard whose beautifully-weighted pass finds Batshuayi, he shoots, it takes a wicked deflection off Lascelles, loops over the head of Darlow and into the back of the net.
45'+2 - NEWCASTLE CHANCES! The visitors determined to bounce back before half time, but Chelsea's goalkeeper is in the mood! First Caballero denies Shelvey, and from the resulting corner, he gets down low to push away Mbemba's effort.
51' - JUST OVER! Lascelles can only prod his clearance into the path of Pedro but the Chelsea midfielder powers his shot over the bar from the edge of the box. It's a disappointing effort and his face says it all. It should have been game over.
56' - SAVE! Alonso, already with six goals to his name this season, smashes a powerful volley at goal, he really catches it, but Darlow makes an impressive stop.
73' - GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle (Alonso): A remarkable free-kick from Alonso wraps the game up for Chelsea. Wonderful technique from the wing-back as he curls the ball over the wall, beyond Darlow and into the top corner of the net. A great left-footed effort from the edge of the box.
KEY STATS
- Chelsea became the first English top-flight side to field more than one player born in the 21st century in a single domestic match (Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi).
- With seven goals and three assists, Marcos Alonso is the 39th Premier League player to register at least 10 goal involvements in all competitions this season, and the first defender to do so.
- No player has scored more FA Cup goals for Chelsea under Antonio Conte than Michy Batshuayi.
- Michy Batshuayi is the third player to reach double figures for goals for Chelsea in all competitions this season after Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard (12 each).
- The Blues have reached the FA Cup fifth round in 18 of their last 20 seasons, only failing to do so in 2010/11 and 2014/15.
- Chelsea have progressed past Newcastle in six of their last seven FA Cup ties.
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 11 last FA Cup games against Premier League opponents at Stamford Bridge (W9 D2), with Arsenal the last side to beat them on their home turf in a sixth-round replay in March 2003.
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