Chelsea ease into FA Cup fourth round with impressive second half against Preston

CHELSEA 4 PRESTON NORTH END 0 

MAURICIO POCHETTINO masterminded Chelsea’s passage through to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup and a shot at European qualification with a four-goal second-half masterclass from his €1billion super squad.

The Argentine coach is under pressure for sitting mid-table in the Premier League and next weekend’s home match against Fulham is a must-win derby. But they can celebrate cup success before then after sweeping aside Championship opposition here. They next have Tuesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg away to Middlesbrough to embrace.

The domestic knock-out competitions are now representing their best chance of returning from European competition exile in Pochettino’s big-spending first season in charge.

The scoreline flattered the Premier League giants against a team battling to get into the top half a whole division below them. Preston, led by inspirational Corkman captain Alan Browne, more than held their own in the first half. And it was fellow Ireland international Will Keane who looked liveliest in attack when he went close with a good shot from distance.

Understandably, Ryan Moore’s side failed to maintain their form and fitness after the break and that was when a disciplined Chelsea side came to the fore.

Much-maligned winger Mykhailo Mudryk helped start the goal rout when he created some space on the left and crossed for Armando Broja to score with a stunning header. The same combination almost doubled Chelsea’s lead moments later, but this time the Albanian’s header glanced off the cross bar.

Substitute Thiago Silva came on to head in from a corner eight minutes later and now Preston had no answer. Raheem Sterling rounded off a tireless performance with a well-taken 69th minute