PLAYER RATINGS: Raheem Sterling produces moment of magic as Chelsea cruise past Preston to book their place in the FA Cup fourth round… while Alfie Gilchrist shines on full debut
Mauricio Pochettino's side booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 4-0 win against Preston at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues started the match in second gear, creating several chances for Preston while missing many, with Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer both going close in the opening 45 minutes.
After a goalless first half, the Blues found their rhythm, with Malo Gusto playing a fine cross to Armando Broja, who saw Chelsea break the deadlock with a glancing header.
The goal got the team moving, with Thiago Silva doubling the lead in the 61st minute with a header, before Raheem Sterling produced a moment of magic, curling the ball into the top left corner of the goal from a free kick. Fernandez would find their fourth late on, gambling at the far post to tap in a deflected pass from Sterling.
Mail Sport's Adrian Kajumba and Ed Carruthers present their Player Ratings from an eventful evening at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea sealed their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 win against Preston at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening
Despite a sluggish first half, the Blues shifted into second gear after half-time, with Raheem Sterling scoring a stunning long-range free-kick.
Mauricio Pochettino called their first-half performance 'sloppy' but claimed his side 'deserved to win'
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Chelsea player ratings
Djordje Petrovic-7
Solid in the net and kept out several Preston chances in the first half.
Alfie Gilchrist-8
The defender made an impressive impression on his full debut. It's easy to see why he's receiving praise. Creative in attack and when tested in defence, he showed a cool head when dealing with Preston's wingers. An excellent performance from the 20-year-old.
Axel Disasi-6
Preston tested him occasionally in the first half and he looked a bit vulnerable defensively.
Levi Colwill-6
He tidied things up at the back, but had a slow first half, with Preston having several chances at half-time.
Malo Gusto-7
Claimed his fourth assist of the season in all competitions by playing a brilliant cross for Broja's opener. Showed his attacking flair with a number of shots late on.
Alfie Gilchrist made his full debut for the Blues and was excellent both defensively and offensively
Malo Gusto set up Armando Broja for his opening goal and claimed his fourth assist of the season in all competitions
Moises Caicedo looked good with the ball at his feet, but gave away possession at times
Moises Caicedo-7
Not his best performance as the Ecuadorian gave the ball away, allowing Alan Browne to fire a shot away in the second half. But played well for Chelsea and delivered some nice passes.
Enzo Fernandez – 7.5
Back from injury with a bang! Had a chance to score in the first half but came back late to score his goal, gambling at the far post to tap in a pass from Sterling. Looked very composed in the heart of midfield.
Raheem Sterling-6
A brilliant free kick from the attacker shows the sublime quality he has. But he failed to convert several chances in the first term and was taken out several times by Preston's left-back Liam Millar.
Enzo Fernandez returned after an injury layoff to score the Blues' fourth goal
Sterling missed several chances in the first 45 minutes, but shone with his sublime free kick
Armando Broja's glancing header helped the Blues break the deadlock in the 58th minute
Cole Palmer – 7.5
Provided the assist for Silva's goal and looked threatening throughout. Could have put the Blues 1-0 up in the first half after dipping the ball into goal over Frederick Woodman.
Mychailo Mudryk – 6.5
A relatively quiet evening for the Chelsea forward, although he did initiate the action that led to Chelsea's opener.
Armando Broja-7
Celebrated wildly after his brilliant header gave the Blues the lead. Perhaps he gave Pochettino some food for thought after returning moments later to test Woodman with another excellent header that went narrowly over the bar.
Substitutes
Thiago Silva-6
He took his goal very well to help the Blues take a 2-0 lead just five minutes after coming on.
Noni Madueke-6
A threat in front of goal late. Had several chances but Preston's defense held firm.
Conor Gallagher-6
A late chance was blocked after coming on for Palmer.
Mykhailo Mudryk had a quiet night at Stamford Bridge, but helped create the move that led to Broja's goal
Thiago Silva came off the bench to score the second goal and looked solid at the back
Michael Golding – (n/a)
Was forced to wait by VAR before making his first appearance for the Blues.
Deivid Washington – (N/A)
Got going late and had a chance that went just wide.
Mauricio Pochettino -7.5
After a slow start, the Argentine put his troops on edge and his decision to bring on Silva in the 61st minute certainly paid off.