Chelsea player ratings vs Port Vale: Joao Pedro & Estevao lead embattled Blues into FA Cup semi-finals - but Cole Palmer denied as drought extends to seven games

Robert Sanchez (6/10):

Didn't have a single save to make. Comfortable and untroubled with the ball at his feet.

Malo Gusto (9/10):

Involved plenty as Chelsea raced into an early lead and never looked back. Crashed the box having danced his way into the final third leading to Gabriel's own goal, before then delivering a perfect cross for Tosin to head in. Afforded a rest for Acheampong.

Wesley Fofana (6/10):

A quiet and uneventful day for a Chelsea defender who has often found himself in trouble this season.

Tosin Adarabioyo (8/10):

Was a bit more adventurous with his passing up against lower-league opposition. Rose high to head home Chelsea's fourth goal of the day and his seventh for the club in total since joining in 2024.

Jorrel Hato (8/10):

Scored his second goal for Chelsea with only a minute gone, reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area following a manic corner routine. Split the Port Vale defence open with a pass to Garnacho which saw Estevao score the sixth goal.

Romeo Lavia (6/10):

Played a rather simple game, with Santos the more daring of Chelsea's two central midfielders. Still yet to complete a full 90 minutes for the Blues since his 2023 transfer after coming off for Kavuma-McQueen.

Andrey Santos (8/10):

Took charge as Chelsea's most emboldened deep-lying midfielder, quickly realising sideways passing wouldn't break down Port Vale and becoming more direct with his play. Helped set up Pedro's goal and then got one himself from an Estevao corner.

Cole Palmer (6/10):

Captained Chelsea for the first time in the absence of the injured James and internally suspended Fernandez. Had to drop incredibly deep to be involved for long stretches of the game. Forced an own goal off of Gabriel having been unable to get his shot at point-blank range on target. Subbed for Essugo.

Pedro Neto (8/10):

Ended the match with only one assist to his name, even though it felt like he had far more of a say in the final scoreline. Confounded Port Vale's backline with his ability to go both ways on either foot. Came off for Garnacho.

Joao Pedro (9/10):

Bamboozled Port Vale's defenders both when dropping deep and making himself a nuisance inside the box. Great value for a goal that was very pleasing on the eye. Taken off for Delap.

Estevao (9/10):

Couldn't influence the game on the left, for which he played the entire first half, but burst into life after the break when on his preferred right flank again. Delivered the corner for Santos' goal and got on the scoresheet after several attempts with Chelsea's sixth.

Alejandro Garnacho (7/10):

Replaced Neto. Struck the post when he probably should have scored before Estevao converted. Won and scored a penalty in the closing moments.

Dario Essugo (6/10):

Made his first appearance at Stamford Bridge, coming on for Palmer.

Liam Delap (5/10):

Hardly involved after being subbed on for Pedro. Unable to get one over the rivals of Stoke City, his former club and the team his father Rory became a cult hero for.

Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (N/A):

Made his debut in place of Lavia.

Josh Acheampong (N/A):

A late sub for Gusto.

Liam Rosenior (8/10):

Had Chelsea stumbled here, Rosenior's position as head coach would have been called into question, particularly amid the Fernandez fiasco. The Blues delivered an emphatic result and performance to keep critics at bay for now.