Title Holders Chelsea Send Forest Packing In FA Cup

5th January 2019 - by AFP

Alvaro Morata's second-half brace proved to be the difference between the two teams as Forest put in a spirited display against the eight-time winners

Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea applauds the fans during the FA Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on January 5, 2019 in London, United Kingdom.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

SUMMARY

Title holders, Chelsea FC, beat Nottingham Forest FC 2-0 in the third round of FA Cup at the Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday to send the latter packing from the competition
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
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

LONDON, United Kingdom- Title holders, Chelsea FC, beat Nottingham Forest FC 2-0 in the third round of FA Cup at the Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday to send the latter packing from the competition.

Alvaro Morata scored twice as holders Chelsea began their FA Cup 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 1500 GMT matches, the lone giant-killing act had seen third-tier Gillingham beat Premier League Cardiff 1-0, while second division 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, captain for the day, should have opened the scoring in the 30th minute but his poor penalty was saved by 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.

Chelsea coach Carlo Cudicini was uncertain when asked if Fabregas had played his last game for the Blues.

"I personally don't know," he said.

"He (Fabregas) has been fantastic for the teams he played for before us and the contribution he has given to this club and to this team has been amazing. Cesc is a top, top player."