Enzo Maresca hailed a “professional” performance from his players as Chelsea comfortably thrashed League Two Morecambe 5-0 in the FA Cup third round.

Tosin Adarabio and Joao Felix both got braces, while Christopher Nkunku, who saved a first-half penalty, also scored to avoid a cup upset at Stamford Bridge.

87 places separate the two sides in the English footballing pyramid and, finally, the gulf in quality was evident as Maresca’s side progressed to the fourth round in convincing fashion.

advancing to the fourth round #EmiratesFACup! 🏆#CFC pic.twitter.com/Eqw9mWrJdd

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 11, 2025

Speaking after the game, Maresca said: “It was a good afternoon in terms of the win, that’s important. Also, performance in this kind of game shows how serious and professional we are.

“The FA Cup is an important competition. Since we started, we have been trying to deal with every competition in the same way. We try to do our best in every competition.”

The Chelsea boss, who took the opportunity to make wholesale changes to the starting eleven, revealed that Noni Maduke missed the game due to illness.

Maresca also sympathized on the need for returning players like Reece James to be patient about their fitness, adding that players like Nkunku and Felix will let their football do the talking.

“The idea is to gradually build the right conditions,” Maresca said. “Especially with Reece (James), we need to be a little more careful. Both he and Romeo (Lavia) finished well with no problems. We have to help bring them to the right position.

“Christo (Ncuncu) and Joao (Felix) didn’t knock on the door or ask for anything, but they don’t need to.”

Next up for Chelsea is a visit to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday.