Chelsea comfortably advanced to the FA Cup fourth round with a convincing 4-0 victory over Preston North End at Stamford Bridge. The first half witnessed a tense battle, with the hosts facing a resilient Preston defense. However, Chelsea broke the deadlock 13 minutes into the second half when Armando Broja nodded home Malo Gusto’s cross. The floodgates opened as Thiago Silva doubled the lead from a corner, Raheem Sterling curled in a superb free-kick, and Enzo Fernandez added a late fourth.
Despite initial controversy over Fernandez’s goal being disallowed for offside, VAR eventually confirmed the legitimacy, sealing Chelsea’s win. The Blues maintained their unbeaten run in domestic cup competitions, setting the stage for their upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough.
Looking ahead, Chelsea’s schedule includes a crucial midweek clash with Middlesbrough and a Premier League encounter against Fulham. Meanwhile, Preston’s focus shifts to a Championship fixture against Bristol City and an away match against Leeds later in the month. Chelsea fans can relish the team’s impressive form, while Preston seeks redemption in their upcoming challenges.
