Morata burns down Forest at the Bridge
Former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata (left) misses a chance to score past Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Luke Steele during their English FA Cup third round match at Stamford Bridge, London on January 5, 2019. PHOTO | ADRIAN DENNIS |
What you need to know:
- Fabregas should have opened the scoring in the 30th minute but his poor penalty, after a foul on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, was saved by goalkeeper Luke Steele
- But two goals in the space of 10 minutes early in the second half from Morata, who had previously missed some clear chances, settled the tie
- Teenage prospect Callum Hudson-Odoi was the provider on both occasions
LONDON
Alvaro Morata scored twice as holders Chelsea began their FA Cup defence with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in a match where a tearful Cesc Fabregas appeared to bid farewell to English football.
The third round is the stage where top-flight clubs enter the world's oldest senior knockout football tournament and has traditionally been associated with upsets.
But after Saturday's early kick-off matches, the lone giant-killing act had seen third-tier Gillingham beat Premier League Cardiff 1-0, while second-tier Derby, managed by former England midfielder Frank Lampard, came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with top-flight strugglers Southampton.
Both Morata and Fabregas have been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window, the latter is reportedly set to join a Monaco side managed by former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry.
Fabregas should have opened the scoring in the 30th minute but his poor penalty, after a foul on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, was saved by goalkeeper Luke Steele.
But two goals in the space of 10 minutes early in the second half from Morata, who had previously missed some clear chances, settled the tie.
Teenage prospect Callum Hudson-Odoi was the provider on both occasions, his cross to the near post setting up Morata for his first goal since November 29 in the 49th minute before the striker made it 2-0 with a header.
Cardiff, FA Cup finalists 11 years ago, conceded minutes from time when Gillingham midfielder Elliott List beat reserve goalkeeper Alex Smithies before the hosts survived more than eight minutes of extra time.
It seemed Southampton were cruising into the fourth round following goals early in each half by Nathan Redmond but Derby hit back with two in quick succession after the hour mark through Jack Marriott and Tom Lawrence.
Marriott then missed a chance to complete a comeback win when he blazed over the crossbar in stoppage time.
Everton survived a scare to see off fourth-tier Lincoln 2-1 at Goodison Park.
Ademola Lookman and Bernard put the Toffees 2-0 up by the 14th minute but the hosts, 58 places ahead of their opponents, struggled after Michael Bostwick pulled a goal back in the 28th minute.
