Port Vale suffered a record-equalising FA Cup loss as they lost 7-0 in the quarter-final game. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Jon Brady brought Ben Waine and Liam Gordon, who had both been on International duty back into his starting line-up for the high profile game at Stamford Bridge. Loanee Martin Sherif also started upfront. It meant that, unlike the Wycombe game, Vale started with recognised forwards.
Ben Garrity captained the side while veteran Andre Gray was amongst the players named on the bench. There was a further boost with Jayden Stockley and Ryan Croasdale fit enough to be named as subs.
Ben Waine – returned to starting line-up
First-half
Port Vale got off to a nightmare start as they conceded a goal in the opening minute and by the break were three goals down.
Chelsea forced an early corner and with a packed box, goalkeeper Joe Gauci was at fault as his punch failed to clear the area. It allowed Jorrel Hato to pounce and put the home side ahead with just 64 seconds played.
To their credit, Vale failed to panic and after a Cole Palmer effort was blocked there were some half chances for the visitors. Firstly, Rhys Walters, who looked the most comfortable of the midfielders, fed a low ball across the box on ten minutes but Ben Waine couldn’t get on the end of it. Next Connor Hall headed wide from a Humphreys’ free-kick.
However, the home side’s class told when they made it 2-0 on 24 minutes. Neto turned Liam Gordon and drove the ball into the box. There Brazilian International Joao Pedro turned Kyle John and his shot found the net.
The game meandered for a while but Chelsea put the seal on a dominant first-half display with a third goal on 42 minutes. Malo Gusto’s loss attempt was palmed out by Gauci and Cole Palmer reacted quickest to find the net.
At the break, Vale were three down and things were looking ominous.
Half-time: Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale
Joe Gauci – conceded three first-half goals
Second-half
Vale were well as truly put to the sword in the second-half as a rampant Chelsea side wrapped up a seven-nil win.
The Valiants actually had the first chance as Funso Ojo’s free-kick found Cameron Humphreys but he mis-kicked in the box. However, apart from a break from George Hall which was deflected wide, it was all Chelsea in the second-half.
The threat was there early on as the dangerous Estevao hit the post and Cole Palmer’s low shot forced Gauci into a save. Two more efforts – from Joao Pedro and Neto were blocked before Chelsea made it four. The towering Tosin beat Connor Hall in the air to find the net on 56 minutes.
The home side continued to press. Estevao’s close-range shot was saved by Gauci and sub Garnacho blazed over before Estevao rattled the post with Gauci beaten.
It was 5-0 on 68 minutes when Santos headed in from a corner. There was a VAR check for a possible foul on Gauci but the goal was given.
Garnacho was then the next player to hit the post before it became 6-0 on 83 minutes. There was an appeal for offside by Estevao was deemed to be onside and the goal was given.
Vale conceded a seventh in the closing moments when sub Tyler Magloire brought down Garnacho in the box. The same player stepped up to give Gauci no chance from the spot.
It was a chastening final 45 minutes as Vale’s attention now turns back to the League.
Full-time: Chelsea 7-0 Port Vale
Cameron Humphreys – early chance
Analysis and Opinion
The match
It was clearly the worst possible start by the Valiants who would have wanted to keep things quiet for a period rather than conceding immediately. To their credit, they didn’t panic and did rally afterwards. However, Chelsea’s pedigree showed throughout and they seemed able to score at will against the Vale defence. It was a battling display by Vale but a cup exit was inevitable.
The players
Ben Waine had a quiet games after his International exploits. Joe Gauci was not faultless but did well to stop several chances. Rhys Walters and Funso Ojo battled hard in midfield. But overall, this Vale side was clearly outclassed.
Star player
He wasn’t faultless but probably Joe Gauci.
Summing up in a sentence
Blues for Vale after Chelsea hammering.
Match stats
Team: Gauci – John (Magloire), Humphreys, C.Hall – Gabriel, Ojo, Walters, Garrity (Archer), Gordon (Campbell) – Waine (G.Hall), Sherif (Gray)
Subs: Amos, Stockley, Shipley, Croasdale
Yellows: Sherif
Reds: none
Goals: none
Attendance: 38,375
Season stats
Your thoughts…
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Brave effort, but inevitable hammering against the current Club World Cup Champions.
Very disappointing
Fully expected to get beat but it was so embarrassing
Man of the match… a keeper who lets 7 in… laughable.
No one would criticise them for losing, but Chelsea didn’t even have to work for their goals. At least three goals were scored in a packed box with no one within 5 yards of the scorer. Chelsea played two wide men hugging the touch lines to stretch us and it worked a dream. It was disappointing, it could so easily gone well into double figures if Chelsea had pressed us. I try not to knock Brady but other than the effort in some of the game we still look atrocious, and I’m not just going off this game.
They make the same mistakes every week, Magioire should not be anywhere near a Vale shirt, the last goal from the penalty was a con he took himself down, you are allowed to cheat when you are a supposed supper star, the 3rd goal was a blatant foul on the goalkeeper, yes we were beaten well , i dread to think what the score would of been had Mr Darren Moore been in charge, you owe the fans Carol, 150 years old we will be relegated and we were thrashed in a cup game, and some of the worst players I have ever seen in a Vale strip, Yes you have made a pigs ear of it, Vale could even go down again,next season.One last question When are you going to give the youngsters a chance, I thought that’s what they were there for Arsenal do it and so do Chelsea.