Chelsea Ease Past Preston 4-0 to Advance in FA Cup Fourth Round: Player Ratings

On Saturday evening, Chelsea confidently advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup following a dominating 4-0 victory over Preston North End at home.

Despite having to work hard for their goals, Chelsea managed to find the lethal touch needed to overcome the Lilywhites, especially displaying their skills in the second half.

Unfortunately for Preston, they were unable to land any significant shots and also failed to exploit the few opportunities they had, thereby paying dearly for it.

The first opportunity for the Blues occurred when Alfie Gilchrist darted into Preston's 18-yard area and passed to Raheem Sterling, whose shot was deflected and easily caught by goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.

Sterling later pressured Woodman into making a more difficult save after recovering possession from a failed clearance by Preston, courtesy of Enzo Fernandez, and taking shot aimed at the top corner, only to be thwarted by Woodman's efficient save.

A few moments later, Cole Palmer had the chance to score the first goal. A smart pass from Fernandez found Palmer whose shot disappointingly bounced wide off the goal post.

The first chance for Preston was when Brad Potts outjumped Fernandez and Levi Colwill, ultimately letting down his team by not testing Djordje Petrovic with his shot.

At the other end, Fernandez managed to head a deflected cross from Sterling at close range, but this did not bother Woodman in goal.

Chelsea seized the lead when Mykhailo Mudryk high-pressed successfully, enabling Malo Gusto to deliver a cross that Armando Broja gently headed into the net.

Chelsea almost garnered a second goal when Mudryk created space for a cross aimed for Broja, whose header unfortunately flew over the goal post.

Nonetheless, the Blues quickly regained momentum with a goal from Thiago Silva, who came in as a substitute to head in a corner from Palmer.

Sterling sealed the tie in favour of Chelsea by scoring his second free-kick goal of the season, masterfully finding the top corner from 20 yards away.

Broja nearly scored a second goal but Andrew Hughes intervened at the last moment to clear the shot right off the line after Broja had gone past Woodman.

A fourth goal came through Fernandez, initially ruled offside by the assistant referee after a scramble at the post. Despite this initial ruling, a lengthy VAR check deemed him to be onside and the goal stood.

Chelsea, unable to convert in extra time against a resolute Woodman, had to settle for four goals, despite missing out on a potential fifth goal.

All players performed strongly, but notable performances included Alfie Gilchrist, Enzo Fernandez, Raheem Sterling, and Armando Broja. Substitutes entering included Thiago Silva, Noni Madueke, Deivid Washington, Conor Gallagher, and Michael Golding.