Share<\/a><\/p>\n 50 min: Andrey Santos plays Est\u00eav\u00e3o through on goal, but the winger rattles the post with his shot!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 47 min: A long ball is sent into the Chelsea<\/a> box and Garrity looks to square it across goal with his first touch, but the Blues can make the clearance.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 46 min: Neto and Est\u00eav\u00e3o have switched sides, with the Portuguese winger on the left and the Brazilian on the right.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Kick-off: Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale<\/p>\n We\u2019re back under way!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Liam Rosenior could decide to rotate a fair bit in the second half, with this match all-but decided. For Port Vale<\/a>, it\u2019s damage control.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Chelsea made that look pretty easy, but they didn\u2019t have to do too much. Port Vale<\/a> have not really caused them any real problems so far. The League One side will be hoping to keep it limited to three in the second half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Half-time: Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale<\/p>\n Chelsea are in complete control at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n \u2026 and it\u2019s three. Photograph: Ian Walton\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.14 EDT<\/p>\n 45+1 min: Just two minutes added on at the end of the first half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 44 min: That is a great team goal from Chelsea<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tosin plays the ball forward to Gusto, who brilliantly flicks it through to Jo\u00e3o Pedro. The striker waits for the perfect moment to play Gusto in on the overlap and the Frenchman drills the ball across the face of goal for Palmer to tap in.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! Chesea 3-0 Port Vale (Cole Palmer, 43)<\/p>\n Captain Cole makes it three!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 39 min: Chelsea<\/a> break forward as Neto receives the ball on the right before cutting it back to Andrey Santos. The midfielder squares the ball across to Lavia, who goes for goal but his shot takes a deflection. Gauci is able to scramble across to claim it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 36 min: Lavia is down after taking a kick from Garrity. It doesn\u2019t look too serious, however.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 35 min: This performance from Chelsea hasn\u2019t been great, but they have managed to get the better of their opponents in every area so far. Port Vale<\/a> have barely had a look-in.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 33 min: Sherif is booked for a challenge on Fofana.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 31 min: Play is back under way and Port Vale<\/a> have a corner\u2026 But the cross fails to beat the first man and Chelsea can clear it with ease.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 28 min: There is a pause in play while Andrey Santos and Gordon receive treatment after a clash of heads.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.49 EDT<\/p>\n 26 min: Neto receives the ball on the right side of the box and does well to shake off pressure from Gordon before sending a low cross into Jo\u00e3o Pedro. The striker is given the time and space to control it and set himself up for the shot before firing the ball into the net.<\/p>\n Far too easy for the Blues.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.50 EDT<\/p>\n GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Port Vale (Jo\u00e3o Pedro, 25)<\/p>\n Jo\u00e3o Pedro makes it two for the Blues! Port Vale<\/a> have a lot of work to do now to get back into this.<\/p>\n Jo\u00e3o Pedro tucks away the second! Photograph: Alex Pantling\/Getty ImagesIs that a happy face? Photograph: Darren Walsh\/CFC\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.50 EDT<\/p>\n 22 min: Gusto plays the ball forward to Palmer, who loses possession in the box. Est\u00eav\u00e3o is able to pick it back up but eventually runs it behind for a goal kick.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 21 min: Nothing comes of the Port Vale<\/a> set piece and Chelsea handle it with ease.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 19 min: Walters looks to break forward at speed but is tripped by Lavia. Port Vale<\/a> have a free kick but no card is given.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 16 min: Port Vale<\/a> have a free kick on the right. Humphreys steps up to take it and crosses the ball into the box, but C.Hall heads it over.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 14 min: Chelsea have completed over 100 passes in the opening 14 minutes compared to Port Vale\u2019s 13.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 11 min: Port Vale<\/a> work their way forward as Walters receives the ball on the edge of the box. He goes for goal but drags his effort wide. Waine anticipates it, but can\u2019t quite get there to tap it in.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 8 min: Port Vale<\/a> are just going to have to weather the storm in this match and try to make the most of their chances whenever they come. The visitors are yet to have a glimpse at goal in these early stages.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 6 min: Chelsea are in complete control here as they look for a second. Port Vale<\/a> appear to be shaken after that early goal.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 3 min: Chelsea have an early corner and the ball is crossed into the box. Port Vale<\/a> fail to deal with the threat and it falls straight to Hato, who drills his shot straight through a group of players and into the net.<\/p>\n That is the worst possible start for the League One side.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Port Vale (Jorrel Hato, 2)<\/p>\n Well\u2026 that was quick!<\/p>\n Hato breaks the deadlock inside two minutes!<\/p>\n Jorrel Hato lashes in the opener after a poor clearance from the Port Vale goalkeeper. Photograph: Jaimi Joy\/ReutersJorrel Hato gobbled up that gift! Photograph: Nigel French\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.23 EDT<\/p>\n 1 min: Chelsea<\/a> go for an early attack as Jo\u00e3o Pedro plays the ball out to Neto, who wins a corner.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.50 EDT<\/p>\n Kick-off<\/p>\n We\u2019re under way at Stamford Bridge!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The teams are out! Kick-off is just a few moments away.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Jeremy Boyce says:<\/p>\n \u201cLooking forward to some \u201cCup Magic\u201d (TM) as plucky underdogs Ch\u00a3ls\u00a3a take on the in-form Burslem boys. Given the state of unity on and off the pitch down in SW? Vale are in with a shout here. It only takes a second to score a goal. A team is always most vulnerable just after scoring a goal. The woodwork is all part of the goalkeeper\u2019s armoury. On the day it\u2019s 11 v 11 (plus subs). The Magic of the Cup is a living cliche. Isn\u2019t it? Wasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe Port Vale<\/a> manager, Jon Brady, left Australia as a 17-year-old to chase his dream of playing in the United Kingdom. Spells at Brentford, Swansea and Wycombe did not make a first-team debut a reality. The sacrifice would not be wasted as determination to make a career in England grew stronger, becoming a non-league stalwart, but always with an eye on what came next.<\/p>\n \u201cLike Saturday\u2019s FA Cup quarter-final opponent, Chelsea\u2019s head coach Liam Rosenior, Brady plotted a route to the dugout from early on, earning his B licence at the age of 23. Twenty-eight years later, he has managed more than 500 league games, in charge of Brackley and Northampton before joining League One\u2019s bottom club in January, and embarking on a surprising Cup run\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Jeff Sax has messaged in to say:<\/p>\n \u201cThe failure of the Chelsea<\/a> \u2018model\u2019 reflects the total lack of understanding of football that the new ownership possess. This was highlighted by signing Rosenior to a 6-year contract.\u201d<\/p>\n On the naughty step\u2026 Photograph: Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.29 EDT<\/p>\n Port Vale last reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup 72 years ago. They faced Leyton Orient in the 1953-54 quarter-finals and clinched a 1-0 win to reach the semis.<\/p>\n Could that be a good omen for today?<\/p>\n Share<\/a> \u201cTrust the process. Ignore the haters. Promise that the trophies will come. Stay on brand. Disappear on international duty and issue a brazen come-and-get-me plea to Real Madrid. Suggest a move to Barcelona would be difficult to reject. Don\u2019t silence the noise. Increase the noise. Question the club\u2019s transfer policy. Say you miss the previous manager. Say Madrid is your favourite European city. Say it more than once. Hang on. Have we gone off-message here?\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez was not the only Chelsea<\/a> player to stir the pot during the international break. During a recent interview, full-back Marc Cucurella criticised the club\u2019s decision to sack Enzo Maresca.<\/p>\n He told The Athletic: \u201cWe knew what Maresca wanted from us. Winning a title like the Club World Cup also helps, strengthens the bond, and you create great relationships during the celebrations. When a manager gives you that confidence and offers you a platform to fight for titles, you\u2019d die for him.<\/p>\n \u201cThe moment Maresca left, it had a big impact on us. These are decisions taken by the club. If you asked me, I would not have made this decision. To make a change like that, the best thing is to wait until the end of the season. You would give everyone, the players and the new manager, time to get ready, have a full pre-season. The instability around the club comes from this, in a nutshell.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite his comments, head coach Liam Rosenior decided against suspending Cucurella for any upcoming games. The Spaniard starts on the bench this evening.<\/p>\n Marc Cucurella starts on the bench for Chelsea Photograph: Andrew Kearns\/CameraSport\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Chelsea have lost every match since their FA Cup fifth-round victory over Wrexham. They lost 8-2 on aggregate across two games in the Champions League round-of-16 between Premier League defeats to Newcastle and Everton.<\/p>\n The FA Cup<\/a> is now their only chance at silverware this season, so they need a big performance today.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n You can read more on Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez and his suspension here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Chelsea will be without Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez today due to a suspension. He is not suspended under FA rules, but due to his conduct. Blues head coach Liam Rosenior announced yesterday that Fern\u00e1ndez will not be available today or next week because he \u201ccrossed a line\u201d with recent comments about his future.<\/p>\n The midfielder first questioned if he would remain at Stamford Bridge beyond this season before suggesting he would like to live in Madrid.<\/p>\n In response, Rosenior said: \u201cFor Enzo, it\u2019s disappointing to speak in that way. What I will say about Enzo is in terms of him as a character, as a person, I\u2019ve got no bad words to say about him. But I think a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. So we had to make a sanction and that was a decision we\u2019ve made. The door is not closed on Enzo. That\u2019s very important. It\u2019s a sanction. You have to protect that culture. I think in terms of that, the line was crossed in the international break.\u201d<\/p>\n Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez has been suspended by Chelsea for today\u2019s match. Photograph: Ian Walton\/APShare<\/a>Team news<\/p>\n Chelsea starting line-up: Robert S\u00e1nchez; Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Jorrel Hato; Rom\u00e9o Lavia, Andrey Santos; Est\u00eav\u00e3o, Cole Palmer (C), Pedro Neto, Jo\u00e3o Pedro.<\/p>\n Substitutes: Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Josh Acheampong, Mamadou Sarr, Marc Cucurella, D\u00e1rio Essugo, Mois\u00e9s Caicedo, Alejandro Garnacho, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Liam Delap.<\/p>\n Port Vale starting line-up: Joe Gauci, Connor Hall, Jordan Gabriel, Cameron Humphreys, Kyle John, Liam Gordon; Ben Garrity (C), Rhys Walters, Funso Ojo; Ben Waine, Martin Sherif.<\/p>\n Substitutes: Ben Amos, Jayden Stockley, Ethon Archer, Ryan Croasdale, Jordan Shipley, Eli Campbell, George Hall, Tyler Magloire, Andre Gray.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Right, time for some team news\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Manchester City sailed through to the semi-finals with a huge 4-0 win over Liverpool earlier today. Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick to send his team through, with Antoine Semenyo getting on the scoresheet as well. Goalkeeper James Trafford also played a huge part by saving a penalty from Mohamed Salah in the second half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n Hello, good afternoon and welcome to coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final clash between Chelsea and Port Vale<\/a>. Wembley Stadium is within touching distance for both clubs this afternoon, with just 90 minutes (or 120 depending on how this plays out) between them and a day at the home of English football.<\/p>\n![\"Jacob](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Jacob-Steinberg,-L.png\")
Jacob Steinberg<\/p>\n