Like Liverpool (4-0 winner against Accrington Stanley) and Manchester City (which faces Salford City), Chelsea inherited a League Two team (English D4) in the 32nd final of the FA Cup. Enzo Maresca, the Blues coach, brought out his second team used in the Conference League this season (6 wins out of 6), with French internationals Axel Disasi and Christopher Nkunku starting, Saturday afternoon, for a large 5-0 victory against Morecambe, at Stamford Bridge.
Little used in the Premier League but essential in the Conference League and the EFL Cup, Nkunku scored his 13th goal of the season at the start of the second half against Morecambe (50th). The attacking midfielder trained at PSG had missed his penalty at the start of the match (17th) but the save by the opposing goalkeeper, Harry Burgoyne, was widely singled out since the goalkeeper in question completely left his line on Nkunku’s strike.
No VAR in the FA Cup yet
There is in fact no video assistance for refereeing at this stage of the competition. Last season, VAR was used from the round of 32 but only in Premier League stadiums. The English federation changed the situation last summer to reserve VAR only from the round of 16 of the competition. “This decision ensures a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs participating at the same stage of the competition”explained the FA.
Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring for CFC (39th) and the English defender scored twice (70th) after the break goal scored by Nkunku. Joao Félix, also a starter, then scored two goals in quick succession (75th and 77th). Malo Gusto played the entire second half and will perhaps resume his starting place next Tuesday in the PL, when Bournemouth come.
