Blues march on
Frank Lampard’s men welcomed League Two outfit Morecambe to Stamford Bridge a short time ago, with hopes of getting their campaign back on track.
Chelsea have of course endured a dismal couple of weeks form-wise, slipping off the pace of not only the Premier League title race, but also the top-4.
This comes with the capital giants having secured just a solitary win from their last 6 outings in the English top-flight.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 03: Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on January 03, 2021 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
As outlined above, however, when all was said and done in southwest London this afternoon, Chelsea got back to winning ways, and in style.
Mason Mount was first on target for the hosts, driving home a fine finish from distance inside the opening 20 minutes:
A goal on his birthday, @masonmount_10 🤩#EmiratesFACup @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/bPoGYivBdH
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 10, 2021
Next on the scoresheet, meanwhile, was Timo Werner, who rounded out a fine team with his first goal in over two months:
Ziyech ➡️ Havertz ➡️ Werner ➡️ GOAL 💥#EmiratesFACup @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/TikcokmlxY
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 10, 2021
Callum Hudson-Odoi killed off any remaining hope of a Morecambe comeback with a strike on the swivel shortly after the interval, before Kai Havertz rounded out the scoring at Stamford Bridge with a superb header five minutes from time:
Kai Havertz bags his first #EmiratesFACup goal for @ChelseaFC 🔥 pic.twitter.com/x01PHBxvQj
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 10, 2021
Ziyech dazzling
Evidently, based on the eventual scoreline, a number of Chelsea’s stars impressed over the course of the 90 minutes this afternoon.
Billy Gilmour looked superb throughout in the middle of the park, Kai Havertz regained some much-needed confidence with a fine all-round display, and Callum Hudson-Odoi staked his latest claim for a regular Premier League starting berth.
None, though, proved more influential than Hakim Ziyech.
Moroccan creator Ziyech’s talents have been sorely missed by Frank Lampard and co. of late, amid a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
This afternoon, though, the former Ajax man provided a reminder of exactly what he is set to introduce to Chelsea’s frontline over the weeks and months ahead, with a trademark creative showing.
His constant influence on the hosts’ attack versus Morecambe has since been summed up perfectly by the stat-line showcased below, the most noteworthy of which highlights Ziyech’s game-high 5 chances created:
Hakim Ziyech’s game by numbers against Morecambe:
89 touches
11 crosses (most)
7 duels won
6 take-ons (most)
5 chances created (most)
3 shots
3 accurate long balls
1 assistAnother great display. pic.twitter.com/ywM0aBDc6A
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 10, 2021
Perhaps even more impressive, though, were the 27-year-old’s efforts on the defensive side of the ball, an aspect of Ziyech’s game which so often goes underappreciated:
The other side of Ziyech’s game.
– 63.5% of 11 duels won
– 11 times possession regained.He is a handy presser along with his obvious attacking quality. #CFC #CHEMOR #FACup
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 10, 2021
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