A comfortable 4-0 victory over Hull City last night saw Chelsea book their spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last night. A goal from Pedro, a first goal for Olivier Giroud, and a Willian double mean Antonio Conte’s side easily beat their Championship opponents on Friday night at Stamford Bridge. Willy Caballero saved a second-half penalty from David Meyler to preserve his clean sheet, as Chelsea went onto progress to the next round of the competition. Here’s who impressed as the Blues beat Hull last night:
3. Cesc Fabregas
He’s in the top three, despite giving away a penalty. That’s how well Cesc Fabregas played last night. Unlike previous games, Fabregas was given the time and space to pick out a pass and control the midfield. After good hold-up play from Giroud, the Spaniard played an exquisite ball forward to Pedro, who added Chelsea’s second. He was excellent from start to finish last night. He might’ve conceded a penalty at the start of the second half, but Caballero saved his skin a little bit. Overall, fantastic from Fabregas.
2. Olivier Giroud
He continues to impress in a Blue shirt. Making another start for Chelsea, Giroud was great once again. Always willing to battle for the ball, the Frenchman played a key part in the Blues’ second. Holding the ball up with his strength, he played the ball to Fabregas who found Pedro who made it 2-0. He then added an assist of his own with another show of strength, beating a Hull defender and finding Willian who curled the ball into the bottom corner. Towards the end of the first half, he added a goal of his own. Emerson Palmieri did well on the left and delivered a ball in, and Giroud was on hand to finish well at the near post.
1. Willian
Absolutely spell-binding from the Brazilian last night. He got the ball rolling for Conte’s side after only two minutes with a great finish beyond the Hull goalkeeper. He added his second, and Chelsea’s third, after half an hour with an even better finish. Late on, he could’ve had a third but was denied by the post. Utterly brilliant from Willian, who was full of skill and running from the very start against the Championship side. He was only inches away from securing a first career hat-trick. Definitely has played his way into Antonio Conte’s thinking ahead of Barcelona on Tuesday.
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