Tosin proud to ´showcase abilities´ with FA Cup brace

Tosin Adarabioyo was delighted with the chance to “showcase his capabilities” as Chelsea cruised to a 5-0 victory over Morecambe in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

The defender netted twice from long range, with a particularly impressive second curling into the back of the net, as Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix also scored in a dominant success, the latter grabbing a brace.

Tosin scored the first brace of his career in English football, while he is the first centre-back to score twice in a match for the Blues since Antonio Rudiger against Leicester City in the Premier League in February 2020.

He was also a solid presence generally, winning all four of his aerial duels and completing 86 of his 92 attempted passes.

“It’s the first time in my professional career I was on a hat-trick. I wanted to have another shot, but the moment never came!” Tosin told BBC Match of the Day.

“I got into a nice position [for his second goal] and I was in a position I look to shoot in. I managed to wrap my foot around it and put it top bins.

“I heard [the crowd shouting for him to shoot] a couple of times when I got the ball on the halfway line. I wanted to but I was too far out.

“Playing games and being able to showcase your abilities is always great, so it was nice to do that one today.”

The sweetest of strikes. #CFC | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/I359rgKuxr

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 11, 2025

Chelsea have won their last 11 FA Cup home matches against sides from a lower division by an aggregate score of 37-5, winning their last four at home in the competition against fourth-division teams by two or more goals.

The victory ended a run of four games without a victory for Chelsea, with their last win coming in the Europa Conference League on December 19.

“Very professional and very serious. I am very happy for the performance and for the final result,” boss Enzo Maresca said.

“Today all the teams are well-organised and can prepare the game in the way they want. When we scored, the game changed and second half, we were better.”

Romeo Lavia and Reece James also made their returns from injury, with both playing the first half before being taken off at half-time. Maresca confirmed their substitutions were planned to avoid aggravating any issues.

“They are both okay after 45 minutes and we are happy with that,” he added.

“It is good that players can get minutes, and they can be ready in any games when we need them.

“We are already thinking about Tuesday’s game [against Bournemouth] and tomorrow we will prepare for Tuesday.”