Batshuayi brace sees Chelsea safely into FA Cup fifth round




A first-half brace from Michy Batshuayi and a stunning free kick from Marcos Alonso helped Chel-
sea to a routine 3-0 victory over Newcastle in Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie.

Chelsea went into the game looking to bounce back from their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal in midweek and they do so in routine fashion against the ‘Magpies’.
After a slow start to the game it was the visitors who had the first real chance as Jonjo Shelvey flicked Massadio Haidara’s cross from the left towards goal but Willy Caballero got down well to tip the effort around the post.
Just after the half-hour mark though Chelsea were ahead. A flowing move saw Pedro spread the ball out to Hazard on the left, with the Belgian patiently waiting for Marcos Alonso to appear on the underlap who unselfishly squared for Michy Batshuayi to open the scoring.
Both sides then exchanged chances as Dwight Gayle and Shelvey both saw low efforts kept out by Caballero, whilst Antonio Rudiger was just inches away from a stunner after cutting onto his left foot 25 yards out.
However, with just a minute to go before the break Chelsea put the game to bed as Batshuayi doubled his tally for the day.
Newcastle were dispossessed in midfield and Pedro found Hazard out on the left, with the Belgian playing the ball into the path of compatriot Batshuayi who isolated Jamaal Lascelles before seeing his low effort loop over Karl Darlow in the visiting goal thanks to a huge deflection off the defender.
The mean that Chelsea went in at the break with a two-goal lead and they never looked like surrendering their advantage in the second half.
Pedro whipped an effort just over and Alonso saw a well-struck volley palmed away by Darlow as Chelsea went in search of more, whilst Hazard was incorrectly flagged offside as he raced clear.
Chelsea were in complete control at this point, with Newcastle’s minds seemingly on their Premier League game against Burnley in midweek.
As the game moved into its final 20 minutes Chelsea got a deserved third to add some gloss to the scoreline. Alonso stepped up to whip a fine free kick over the wall and into the top corner from 25 yards, with Darlow a mere spectator.
Pedro had a chance to add to the scoreline late on when he was set away by substitute Ethan Ampadu - who helped Chelsea make history - but Darlow came out well to smother.
Batshuayi could have sealed his hat-trick in the dying embers of the game but he twice saw low efforts saved by Darlow at the near post.
In the end, Chelsea were made to do with a 3-0 win and can now look forward to finding out who they will face in the next round. Newcastle, meanwhile must now switch their attentions back to the Premier League relegation battle.

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