Chelsea set up a Fifth Round meeting with Manchester City after crushing Championship MK Dons 5-1 at Stadium MK. The Blues put in a dominating performance from the start, with Oscar hitting a first half hat-trick. Eden Hazard finally opened his account for the season, while Bertrand Traore came off the bench to score. Given the number of chances they had, they could well have scored 10 here.
Guus Hiddink picked a very strong line up for this game, as expected. Diego Costa was supported by Cesc Fabregas, Oscar and Hazard, while Rueben Loftus-Cheek got a start. The only change to the back four saw Abdul Baba Rahman come in for Cesar Azpilicueta, while Hiddink didn’t even give Asmir Begovic a run out ahead of Thibaut Courtois.
From the off Chelsea were attacking the Dons, and the gulf in class was evident. They had 15 chances in the first half alone, with Costa passing one up and Oscar missing two before he got his first goal. Costa made the opener for the Brazilian, after taking advantage of Kyle McFadzean’s mistake he laid it off for the midfielder to tap home.
Chelsea were looking like they could go on and run up a huge score, but then MK Dons equalised out of nowhere. Darren Potter’s deflected effort flew past Courtois, putting the Championship side level. It wasn’t exactly a deserved goal, but it sent the home support into a frenzy.
Oscar got his second of the game to put the Premier League side back ahead, after being played through wonderfully by Loftus-Cheek. His ball was perfect for the Brazilian’s run, and Oscar provided a great finish to score the team’s, and his, second.
With half time approaching, Oscar needed no help in the build up to the third goal. He cut in from the left hand side, dribbled into the centre and hit a fantastic effort from the edge of the box. It was another brilliant goal from him, and it gave the playmaker a first ever hat-trick in English football. That saw the Dons head in 3-1 down at the break, having been completely outclassed.
10 minutes into the second half and the Blues were on the attack again. Hazard chased a pass into the box, but before he could reach it he was fouled by the goalscorer Potter. After much deliberation, John Terry sorted matters and told Hazard to take the kick. The Belgian scored, finally getting his first goal this season.
Youngster Bertrand Traore came off the bench for Costa, and he hit the fifth goal, wrapping up the win. After the game the Blues were out first in the draw for Round Five, and they meet Manchester City at the Bridge next. That’s going to be a massive game, one which could well decide the destination of the cup.
LCN Man of the Match: Oscar