In took its time, but it was eventually exactly what needed. Lower league opposition or not, the Blues needed to put on a show against Morecambe on Saturday afternoon - and they did that in the end.
Four goals in the second-half from the hosts at Stamford Bridge perhaps flattered Chelsea, with the match finishing 5-0. Morecambe, 23rd in League Two; an astonishing 87 places below Chelsea in the English football pyramid, were brave but ultimately outclassed by the Blues' 'second string' side in SW6.
got things going for Chelsea in the first-half in a below-par performance from the hosts in the opening 45 minutes. Morecambe were parked and making things difficult while Chelsea were moving the ball too slowly. It needed to be quicker from the hosts and that was seemingly 's message to his players at half-time.
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The three substitutes gave Chelsea more zip. was bright, as was , whose overlapping runs from left-back were causing the Shrimps problems down their right-hand side. Plenty of things needed to improve from Chelsea in the second-half and was one of them.
Nkunku was disappointing in the first-half; struggling to get involved in the match and missing a penalty to boot. However, it was much better from the France international in the second period - getting on the end of a loose ball inside the box after 's shot was parried into a dangerous area.
Once Nkunku struck, it felt like the floodgates might open. Tosin, Chelsea's playmaker on the day due to Morecambe's man-to-man marking approach, was urged to shoot virtually every time he got the ball after scoring via a deflected shot in the first-half. On 70 minutes, Tosin obliged, and found the top corner from long range with a sumptuous strike.
Chelsea were away and already thinking about the fourth round. then decided to have some fun. He opened his account on 75 minutes with a precise finish into the bottom corner but bettered that moments after.
Picking up the ball inside the box, some tight-knit dribbling from the Portugal international created some space for him to try his luck. That he did, but there was no luck involved as he curled one into the far corner to add his seventh goal of the season in all competitions.
Only one of those seven goals have come in the Premier League, though, with Felix's strike away at Wolves on his second debut for the club remaining the only time he has netted in the top-flight this term. The 25-year-old, signed on a permanent deal in last summer's transfer window, has only started three times in the Premier League since re-joining the club - accumulating just 348 minutes in the process.
The big issue for Felix is the position he plays. The former Atletico Madrid man was used in somewhat of a free role against Morecambe; allowed to roam and pick up spaces in between the lines - similar to what we see when plays. While Maresca has repeatedly said Felix and Palmer can be used together, when that does happen, it tends to see the former pushed out towards the left-hand side and he quite often struggles to make an impact from the wing.
Either way, Morecambe or not, Felix sent a clear message to Maresca on Saturday. It is unlikely he starts against Bournemouth on Tuesday - not least because it is two days away now - with Palmer rested and fresh for the visit of the Cherries.
The Portuguese attacker is technically a superb footballer and so, so pleasing on the eye when it comes to his technique, flair and intelligence. We all know that, but it is his work-rate that is really catching the eye recently.
There were multiple questions asked when Chelsea signed him in the summer and one of them was 'will Felix press enough in this system?'. Say what you want about Felix, but his work-rate; his industrious, determined and tireless running out of possession in recent appearances has been the most impressive factor.
The other two-goal hero, Tosin, also sent a message to Maresca. Dropped for 18-year-old Josh Acheampong last weekend for the draw with Crystal Palace, Tosin returned to the line-up against Morecambe.
Two goals, a physically dominant display, as well as showing off his playmaking skills - it really was quite the afternoon for the man Chelsea signed on a free transfer last summer. The fact, however, that Acheampong was an unused substitute at Stamford Bridge suggests he is in Maresca's mind for Tuesday night.
Acheampong was outstanding last weekend as he made his full Premier League debut at Selhurst Park. He and Levi Colwill, although very early days, showed really encouraging signs in regards to forming a solid centre-back partnership.
Tosin, though, could not have a done a thing more with his performance against the Shrimps to impress Maresca. "Yeah, it's a bit the picture of the game in terms of he was, most of the time, the only one with more space," about the centre-back's showing on Saturday afternoon.
"They were marking man-to-man inside of the box and there was no space. He was the only one who could carry the ball and try that option. We are happy for him."