Having impressively knocked out Premier League Sunderland to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1953/54, Port Vale had a mammoth task on their hands against the world champions.
These sides had waited 97 years to face each other once again, but the home fans had barely taken their seats when the Blues went ahead through Jorrel Hato, who thrashed a loose ball from a corner into the ground and past Joe Gauci.
The opener marked the 49th successive match in which Chelsea have netted an FA Cup goal at home against lower-league opposition, and after an unremarkable 20-minute period, Liam Rosenior’s side doubled their advantage.
Pedro Neto appeared to be contained, but he wriggled clear of his marker, squaring for João Pedro to net his eighth FA Cup goal in as many appearances after displaying excellent composure in front of goal.
In cruise control, the hosts made it three before the break, as a neat one-two between Malo Gusto and Pedro opened up the visitors, allowing the former to drive a low shot at goal that was parried kindly for Cole Palmer to turn in via the unfortunate Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel.
The pattern of play was unchanged after the restart, with Estêvão stroking a first-time effort onto the post early in the second period.
Port Vale’s second-half resistance did last longer than their first, but with 57 minutes on the clock, Chelsea added to their lead when Tosin Adarabioyo met Gusto’s cross with a towering header that left Gauci with no chance.
Estêvão then dragged a strike onto the opposite post, but he soon had a hand in the Blues’ fifth goal as his corner was nodded home by an unmarked Andrey Santos at the back post.
Estêvão finally got his goal when he stayed onside to tap in a rebound after Alejandro Garnacho hit the woodwork, and the scoring was then wrapped up by Garnacho, who was brought down in the box by Tyler Magloire before stepping up to convert from the spot.
As a result, Chelsea have now made it through all 38 cup ties against lower-league sides since 2015/16, booking a semi-final spot at Wembley after what proved to be a predictably routine victory.
The Valiants lived up to their nickname in their impressive FA Cup run, but with that now at an end, Port Vale fans will have to face the harsh reality of a likely relegation to the fourth tier, thanks to just seven league wins from 38 games this season (D10, L21).
Flashscore Man of the Match: Estêvão (Chelsea)
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