Defender Tosin Adarabioyo delivered a masterclass with two spectacular goals from outside the box as Chelsea dominated League Two side Morecambe to secure their place in the FA Cup fourth round at Stamford Bridge.
Morecambe goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne impressed early on, saving Christopher Nkunku's penalty after Yann Songo'o was penalized for a handball. However, Chelsea took the lead in the 39th minute when Adarabioyo's shot from the edge of the box deflected off Callum Jones and into the net.
Christopher Nkunku doubled Chelsea's lead shortly after the restart, tapping in a rebound after Burgoyne denied Renato Veiga. Adarabioyo then produced a moment of brilliance in the 70th minute, curling a stunning 25-yard strike into the top corner.
As Morecambe began to falter, Joao Felix added two late goals, the first a precise side-footed effort and the second a curling strike from a tight angle, sealing Chelsea's emphatic 5-0 victory.
"It’s my first time in professional football being on a hat-trick," Adarabioyo shared with BBC Match of the Day, admitting he was tempted to shoot more but refrained from attempts that seemed too ambitious.
The 27-year-old defender, who joined Chelsea in the summer, has struggled for regular game time, making only nine league appearances this season. His standout performance was praised by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who commended his team for their professionalism and determination.
Morecambe Finds Silver Lining
Despite the heavy loss, Morecambe manager Derek Adams remained positive, revealing the match generated around £350,000 for the club—a significant sum for a side battling relegation in League Two.
"We’ve had a fantastic day for our fans," Adams said.
Although outclassed, Morecambe held their own for much of the first half, with Ben Tollitt and Marcus Dackers testing Chelsea keeper Filip Jorgensen. Burgoyne’s heroics in goal, including saving a penalty and denying multiple close-range shots, kept the scoreline respectable for much of the match.
Chelsea, who are fourth in the Premier League, ended a poor run of form with the victory, marking their third clean sheet since December. They now look ahead to the fourth-round draw, which follows Sunday’s Arsenal vs. Manchester United clash.
With this commanding win, Chelsea reminded fans of their pedigree and set the tone for their FA Cup campaign.
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