Chelsea move into the FA Cup semi finals comfortably

 Chelsea move into the FA Cup semi finals comfortably.

On a day when the FA Cup finally faced the music and even Robbie Williams influence was hardly enough, Williams Port Vale were handsomely beaten by Premier League Chelsea. Stamford Bridge may have seen its fair share of classic Cup battles but this was not one of them. This was a stroll in the park for the home team. Chelsea were relentless, devastating at times and totally in charge towards the end of this FA Cup quarter final. Port Vale were cowering away sheepishly in their own penalty area hoping and praying that humiliation would be somehow avoided. And then they were thrashed convincingly 7-0 and that was that. 

Sadly Port Vale, now languishing at the bottom of League One and relegation certainties, had nothing to offer but blood, sweat and tears. Of course they fought Chelsea to the bitter end, but now Vale must immediately address the more pressing issues of avoiding relegation. It now seems highly unlikely but by half time yesterday afternoon, even earlier perhaps, the game was over. Vale had been battered and bruised, ravaged and ripped apart by a Chelsea side who, at least yesterday, suggested that their season still has legs and that a top four place in the Premier League may be within comfortable range for them. 

This has been, by Chelsea's standards, a disappointing season, after the kind of flying start to it in August which promised so much and eventually yielded a negligible return to form. Chelsea have failed to hit the ignition button at any point throughout the season although a recent resurgence may have papered over the cracks. The fact that Chelsea were three up by half time probably tells you all you need to know about this ludicrously one sided FA Cup tie. 

The huge and yawning gap in class between Chelsea and Port Vale was so embarrassing that you could have probably driven a tank through Vale's flaky defence and still scored a hatful. Chelsea have become a dab hand at the FA Cup in recent years, having won the competition several times in recent years. This season has been all about consolidation in the top half of the Premier League, improving form and achieving some semblance of consistency. 

All of  Chelsea's goals seem to come in an orderly procession. There was a sad inevitability about all of the home side's goals and after half an hour, the capitulation was complete, the white flag of surrender was waved limply. The boys in blue were imperiously strutting their stuff, almost effortless and models of haughtiness and assurance on the ball. Chelsea shuffled the ball across, wide and then punishingly quick in their close passing. Poor Port Vale must have thought they were victims of a persecution complex. 

With Wesley Fofana, a picture of stylish command on the ball, Andrey Santos revealing all of the delicacy and exceptional vision of a player who knows exactly what to do with the ball and Joao Pedro, linking up beautifully with Estevao and Petro Neto, Chelsea had Port Vale where they wanted them. Both Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Romeo were toying and tormenting the visitors with a cruel brutality and Chelsea were up and running. 

Within a minute, Chelsea went a goal up. A superb corner was plunged towards the near post, and after a collision of bodies, Joe Ahato rammed home from close range. Minutes later, Chelsea extended their lead deservedly. A flicked ball was curled over the Vale defence and Pedro turned sharply in the area before chipping into the net with consummate ease. By the half hour, Chelsea were dancing and prancing, pirouetting, twirling and pulling metaphorical faces at Port Vale, their passing movements like exquisite pieces of jewellery, football to be hugely admired like a classical mahogany cabinet from an Edwardian cabinet. 

Chelsea were now three up. Gusto connected from another a stunning passing collaboration that reminded you of bags on an airport carousel, smoothly rolling around the white shirts of Port Vale. In the end a low cross once again caught Vale in twisted knots. Gusto claimed the goal but this was an own goal and for Vale, this seemed almost felt terribly unfair and a gross injustice. Chelsea approached the second half rather like sun worshippers on a Mediterranean island, occasionally choosing to take a leisurely walk to the bar but neither interested nor disinterested in rubbing salt into Vale's wounds. 

Estevao had now become the most delightful player of the match, an excellent and delicious ball player and his relationship with Joao Pedro was just exceptional, rather like Peter Osgood and Charlie Cooke from that vintage 1970s pomp. Chelsea added another with Tosin's firm header from another brilliant attack from the home side. Now Garnacho joined in with the frivolous fun and games and struck his penalty with venom and menace. A seventh goal almost felt like the last knockout blow for Vale and Chelsea had now reached another FA Cup semi final with much to spare. 

So the buoyant Chelsea fans drifted away in their ecstatic masses once again. Of course Chelsea have now become established residents in the top flight and there is still something of the arty and bohemian about the club that may never fade away. The Kings Road has always been the place to be seen, with both retro and current fashions always to the fore. 

You remembered the night when David Webb rose high to head home Chelsea's decisive winner in that gruelling, stamina sapping FA Cup Final replay against Leeds at Old Trafford. That one iconic moment seemed to represent the beginning of a golden era that never quite materialised. It is only within the last 20 years that Chelsea have accumulated a whole portfolio of domestic and European trophies. There is surely a penny for the thoughts of one Jose Mourinho whose opinions have always been forthcoming. Blue maybe the colour but Wembley is once again their destination and football is definitely their game.