Chelsea started their 2024 with quickfire 4-0 thriller against Championship side Preston in the FA cup on Saturday night.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men had a rough start in the encounter, missing clear chances in the first half that could have given them an early lead.
Young talent Cole Palmer missed at point blank against Preston goalkeeper, after a well dished up-through by Enzo Fernandez.
Entering the second half, the Blues were more clinical, converting most of the chances created, although Armando Broja missed a crucial one-on-one.
The deadlock was eventually broken when Malo Gusto delivered a cross into the box, finding the head of Broja who stylishly sent it home, giving the host the lead just before the hour mark.
Thiago Silva and Raheem Sterling followed in quick succession, with Silva scoring a header from Palmer’s corner kick, and Sterling, a well delivered freekick into the top left corner of the visitor’s goal post.
The party was completed by Fernandez, who redeemed himself by a simple tap-in, after a first-half gasp.