Chelsea Advances to FA Cup Semifinals with 7-0 Victory Over Port Vale Amid Team Controversy

Chelsea secured a decisive 7-0 win against Port Vale in the FA Cup quarterfinal at Stamford Bridge on April 4, 2026, advancing to the semifinals. The match occurred amid internal tensions following critical comments from midfielder Enzo Fernández and other senior players about the club's direction. Manager Liam Rosenior responded by excluding Fernández from the lineup for two matches, including this game. Chelsea dominated from the start, with Jorrel Hato scoring within 64 seconds, followed by goals from João Pedro, an own goal by Port Vale's Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel, Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Estêvão Willian, and Alejandro Garnacho via penalty. Port Vale, positioned at the bottom of League One, faced elimination despite a cup run that included victories over higher-tier teams. Rosenior declined to address remarks from Fernández's agent Javier Pastore, who deemed the suspension unfair, emphasizing team unity and the significance of reaching Wembley. Chelsea now prepares to face Manchester City in the next round, while Port Vale focuses on league survival.