Chelsea smashed Chesterfield to advance safely in the FA Cup

Chelsea comfortably advanced to the last 32 of the FA Cup with a 5-1 win over fifth-tier Chesterfield at Stamford Bridge.

With Belgian Romelu Lukaku and American Christian Pulisic in the starting eleven, but without goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was again a substitute despite the absence of Edouard Mendy, the London side progressed without stepping on the accelerator.

In an atmosphere wonderfully enhanced by the noisy and colorful presence of around 6,000 Spirites fans, the Champions League holders stamped their class on proceedings immediately to illustrate the huge gulf between the clubs.

Thomas Tuchel didn't hold back

Thomas Tuchel, despite the theoretical difference and obvious superiority, had experienced players in his team such as the Danish Andreas Christensen, the Croatian Mateo Kovacic, the Spaniard Saúl Ñiguez, the Moroccan Hakim Ziyech or the German Timo Werner, besides Pulisic and Lukaku.

Chelsea, second in the Premier League with Chesterfield in the same position in their division, fielded a strong side and took only four minutes to open the scoring.

In the first half the game was sealed

After twenty minutes Chelsea were already 3-0 up. In the 4th Werner scored, in the 18th Callum Hudson Odoi from Pulisic's pass and in the 20th Lukaku from Lewis Hall's cross. Before the half-time break, Tuchel's side scored one more, signed by Christensen.

The pace dropped in the second half with the tie sealed. However, Hakim Ziyech scored Chelsea's fifth from the spot in the 55th minute after substitute Calvin Miller fouled Christian Pulisic.

Chesterfield fans enjoyed their moment

The big moment - and biggest cheers - came 10 minutes from time when Chesterfield substitute Akwasi Asante turned in a rebound after Marcus Bettinelli saved from Kabongo Tshimanga. 

It was a moment of unforgettable, unconfined joy for Chesterfield and their fans - and fully merited for their tireless contribution to an entertaining FA Cup third round tie. 

They had waited 25 years for this in Chesterfield. A quarter of a century for some closure. More than two decades to try to wipe away the pain of a 1997 FA Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough that they would have won if they had not been denied a goal by a refereeing mistake. 

Chelsea advance to the fourth round, while Chesterfield retain their dignity and Akwasi Asante will always have a goal scored at home to the reigning European champions. Chelsea have yet to lose a third round tie in the 21st century.