Striker Armando Broja put Chelsea on the right path to a 4-0 victory over Preston North End, a team from the English Championship, in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday. The Albanian forward responded to manager Mauricio Pochettino's calls to seize the opportunity presented to him. Broja's starts this season have been limited due to injuries and the presence of Nicolas Jackson, who joined the Senegal national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Broja scored Chelsea's first goal in the 58th minute with a well-placed header following a cross from Malo Gusto. He shot over the bar before Thiago Silva, who came on as a substitute, added the second goal with a powerful header from a corner taken by Cole Palmer in the 66th minute, as Chelsea continued to press after a lackluster first half.
Raheem Sterling netted the third goal from a direct free kick. Five minutes before the end of the match, Enzo Fernández tapped the ball into an empty net to complete the quartet, although he had to wait for a lengthy VAR check before celebrating.
Domestic cup competitions represent Chelsea's only realistic goal of securing titles this season, as the big-spending team sits in tenth place in the Premier League standings. Chelsea will play Middlesbrough in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals next Tuesday.
