Chelsea are celebrating reaching the FA Cup semi-finals after thrashing Port Vale at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were expected to make light work of opponents who sit rock bottom of League One in their first meeting since 1929, ending a slump that had seen them lose four matches in a row across all competitions. And they did just that, notching seven goals in total in a complete rout in west London.
Chelsea were missing Enzo Fernandez, who has been dropped for two games as a result of recent comments that cast doubt on his future at the club. But they did not skip a beat without him, with Jorrel Hato getting the party started after only 63 seconds. Joao Pedro doubled the lead and Jordan Gabriel’s own goal under pressure from stand-in captain Cole Palmer had the hosts rolling at the interval.
They really turned on the style in the second half, with further goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho easing the pressure on Liam Rosenior and sealing a trip to Wembley later this month. Relive Chelsea vs Port Vale as it happened below!
Chelsea vs Port Vale highlights
- GOAL! Garnacho earns and scores last-gasp penalty
- GOAL! Estevao effort given after VAR check
- GOAL! Andrey Santos controversially makes it five
- GOAL! Tosin heads in fourth from Gusto cross
- GOAL! Gabriel puts through own net before break
- GOAL! Joao Pedro doubles Chelsea lead
- GOAL! Hato fires Blues ahead in first minute
Chelsea 7-0 Port Vale
19:10 , George FloodFull-time
As emphatic as it gets as Chelsea turn on the style in the second half to blow away League One’s bottom club.
They are back in the FA Cup semi-finals, joining Manchester City at Wembley.
Just what was needed for Liam Rosenior after the recent horror run and off-the-field distractions.
A brave effort and superb cup run for the Valiants, but they were totally outclassed today.
Now they focus attentions back on trying to pull off a great escape from relegation to the fourth tier.
GOAL! Chelsea 7-0 Port Vale | Alejandro Garnacho (pen) 92'
19:06 , George Flood92 mins: Excellent penalty from Garnacho as he sends Gauci the wrong way.
Seventh heaven for Chelsea - their 20th goal in the FA Cup this season.
Chelsea 6-0 Port Vale
19:05 , George Flood90 mins: Referee Farai Hallam points to the spot for a Chelsea penalty after Garnacho is brought down by Magloire.
Garnacho to take...
Chelsea 6-0 Port Vale
19:03 , George Flood85 mins: Acheampong is on for Gusto in the Chelsea defence, which has not been tested today.
Tyler Magloire replaces John for Port Vale.
Chelsea 6-0 Port Vale
19:02 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
That took way too long but Chelsea have six and have destroyed Port Vale here.
It's a handsome victory for the Blues. Estevao deservedly on the scoresheet.
GOAL! Chelsea 6-0 Port Vale | Estevao 82'
18:59 , George Flood83 mins: This is very, very tight with the lines being drawn.
It’s the first offside shout against Estevao they are looking at, as the ball came off the defender after hitting the post.
It’s fractional stuff, but the goal is eventually given and its’s six for Chelsea.
No less than the impressive Estevao deserves after hitting the woodwork twice.
He’s just been named man of the match, too.
Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale
18:56 , George Flood82 mins: Estevao squeezes in the rebound for Chelsea after Garnacho slams against the post.
The offside flag is belatedly raised.
What a lovely reverse pass from Hato to release Garnacho.
A couple of VAR checks going on here...
Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale
18:54 , George Flood78 mins: Lavia is replaced by Kavuma-McQueen.
What a moment for the young winger.
Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale
18:53 , George Flood76 mins: Hall goes for goal for Port Vale instead of playing in Gray and winds up with a corner.
Nothing comes of it.
Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale
18:52 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
17-year-old Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is about to come on for his Chelsea debut.
Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale
18:52 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
Santos is all smiles as he runs to the corner flag to celebrate with his Brazilian compatriot Estevao.
It's the full five stars for Chelsea, albeit Port Vale have been insipid opponents today.
Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale
18:49 , George Flood73 mins: A fourth change is coming from Port Vale now.
Captain Garrity is replaced by Ethon Archer.
GOAL! Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale | Andrey Santos 69'
18:45 , George Flood69 mins: Andrey Santos’ curling effort deflects behind off the head of Humphreys.
Santos then arrives unmarked at the corner to head in from point-blank range as Chelsea make it five.
It looked like Tosin was fouling Gauci, but nothing is given after a VAR check and the goal stands.
Chelsea 4-0 Port Vale
18:41 , George Flood66 mins: Estevao deserves a goal for his efforts this evening but hits the woodwork for the second time!
Port Vale will be very fortunate if this stays at 4-0 as Chelsea continue to pile on the pressure midway through the second half.
Chelsea 4-0 Port Vale
18:40 , George Flood65 mins: Estevao is having fun as he links up nicely with a little give-and-go with Gusto inside the box, but his low cross is blazed over by Garnacho.
Jon Brady is responding to Chelsea’s triple substitution in kind.
Andre Gray is on up front for Port Vale, with George Hall and Eli Campbell also introduced.
Off go Waine, Sherif and Gordon.
Chelsea 4-0 Port Vale
18:37 , George Flood62 mins: Rosenior is looking to the Chelsea bench for the first time here with just over an hour on the clock and victory long since wrapped up.
Essugo, Garnacho and Delap replace Palmer, Neto and Joao Pedro.
The latter looked to have picked up a knock before that triple change.
Chelsea 4-0 Port Vale
18:36 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
Rosenior in conversation with Cucurella on the bench, but I don't think the Spaniard is coming on any time soon. Palmer becoming increasingly involved in the game.
And there's Chelsea's fourth goal of a routine evening. Tosin there to head home, completely unchallenged in the air.
GOAL! Chelsea 4-0 Port Vale | Tosin Adarabioyo 57'
18:32 , George Flood54 mins: There is number four.
Neto - who saw an effort parried a few moments ago - combines wonderfully with Gusto, with Tosin rising to power a header past Gauci from the Frenchman’s cross.
This could get really ugly for Port Vale from here.
Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale
18:28 , George Flood53 mins: Chelsea are enjoying themselves now as Palmer tries to deceive Gauci with a cheeky effort, but the Port Vale ‘keeper gets down low to hold.
Estevao is running well with the ball repeatedly here, causing all sorts of panic in the visiting defence.
Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale
18:27 , George Flood50 mins: It should really be 4-0 to Chelsea after more great work from Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos, but Estevao’s low effort clips the post and heads wide.
Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale
18:25 , George Flood47 mins: Port Vale with a promising start to the second half as they deliver back-to-back free-kicks into the box.
Tosin does just enough to thwart Humphreys after Garrity’s touch and John then gives away a foul with a needless push.
Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale
18:21 , George FloodBack underway at Stamford Bridge, with no changes from either manager just yet.
Chelsea will look to pile on more misery, with their place alongside Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley surely all but guaranteed.
It’s mostly about damage limitation now for Port Vale.
Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale
18:19 , George Flood63 seconds on the clock when Hato slammed Chelsea into an early lead.
That rather set the tone for that first half from Port Vale.
Nightmare start for Port Vale as Hato gives Chelsea the lead ⚡
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 4, 2026
Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/M4wH1s2Db1
Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale
18:16 , George FloodJoao Pedro as lethal as ever, but that crucial second goal was so avoidable from Port Vale’s perspective...
Joao Pedro doubles Chelsea’s lead 🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 4, 2026
Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/AxL7vknBIw
Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale
18:15 , George FloodHow Cole Palmer will love to mark his first outing as Chelsea captain with a goal, but he’s surely not going to get this one...
Captain Palmer slots Chelsea 3-0 up ⚽
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 4, 2026
Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/3uU4fbIsvI
Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale
18:07 , George FloodHalf-time
Chelsea on absolute easy street at the interval.
Not a vintage performance by any means so far, but they are cruising into the FA Cup semi-finals.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale | Jordan Gabriel OG 43'
18:01 , George Flood43 mins: It’s three before the break!
Brilliant football from Chelsea involving Gusto and Joao Pedro.
Gusto is denied by a low save from Gauci, with Palmer appearing to steer home the rebound at the back post.
But replays show that clearly came off the unfortunate Gabriel and will surely be an own goal.
This quarter-final tie is done and dusted before half-time.
Chelsea 2-0 Port Vale
17:58 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
Ironic cheers from Port Vale's supporters as Gauci catches one for once and the score stays 2-0 rather than gets worse for the visitors.
It's been a totally one-sided first half and just what Chelsea have needed.
They're hunting for their third goal now as the break approaches.
Chelsea 2-0 Port Vale
17:57 , George Flood40 mins: The Port Vale fans are engaging in a lot of ironic ‘oles’ when the visitors string a few passes together at Stamford Bridge, where half-time is fast approaching.
Chelsea 2-0 Port Vale
17:56 , George Flood39 mins: Lavia is fine to continue for Chelsea and his hopeful long-range effort is deflected by Ojo and prevented from trickling out for a corner by Gauci.
Chelsea 2-0 Port Vale
17:54 , George Flood35 mins: Andrey Santos has been in the wars for Chelsea again and now midfield partner Lavia is down needing treatment after a painful collision with Garrity.
He does not need any more injury setbacks.
Chelsea 2-0 Port Vale
17:50 , George Flood30 mins: The 6,000 travelling Port Vale fans are desperate for something to shout about here as they earn a corner that is quickly cleared and Chelsea’s counter-attack is snuffed out.
Sherif takes out Fofana and picks up the first yellow card of the game.
Chelsea 2-0 Port Vale
17:47 , George Flood28 mins: Chelsea are almost in for a third as Gusto’s dangerous low cross is repelled behind.
Now Andrey Santos is down hurt, giving the chance for both sets of players to take on some instructions from their respective managers.
Chelsea 2-0 Port Vale
17:46 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
Too much time, too much space, and that's what Joao Pedro will do when you give him too much of either, let alone both.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Port Vale | Joao Pedro 25'
17:43 , George Flood25 mins: Chelsea double their lead!
Gordon is completely caught out by Neto following a lofted pass into the Port Vale box.
Neto spins and picks out Joao Pedro, who takes a touch, feints to fool John and then expertly picks his spot in the back of the net.
Chelsea look to be cruising into the FA Cup semi-finals.
Chelsea 1-0 Port Vale
17:40 , George Flood21 mins: Really good defending that from Port Vale right-back Gabriel, up against Estevao.
No easy task.
Chelsea 1-0 Port Vale
17:39 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
"Who are ya?", cry the Port Vale fans as Estevao is tackled in the final third and a goal kick is given.
God love English football.
Chelsea 1-0 Port Vale
17:38 , George Flood19 mins: Palmer’s clever movement aside, there has been a curious lack of intensity from Chelsea since Hato’s early goal - and the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge is non-existent at the moment.
Lavia rashly brings down Walters on the break, but Port Vale can’t make anything of another free-kick opportunity.
Chelsea 1-0 Port Vale
17:35 , George Flood14 mins: Port Vale have largely settled well since going behind inside the first minute, to their credit.
Humphreys’ deep free-kick delivery from the right flank is headed well wide by Connor Hall.
Palmer is causing them plenty of problems at the other end.
Chelsea 1-0 Port Vale
17:29 , George Flood10 mins: Port Vale’s first attack of the game as Sherif beats Tosin to a bouncing ball all too easily and Walters’ dragged low effort to the back post from outside the box just evades Waine.
That was a real chance to hit back quickly.
Chelsea 1-0 Port Vale
17:26 , George Flood8 mins: Determined defending from John to prevent the lively Palmer from getting a cross in from the Chelsea left and then earning Port Vale a pressure-relieving free-kick.
Chelsea 1-0 Port Vale
17:23 , George Flood5 mins: Stunned Port Vale need to regroup here and fast as Chelsea ease into the box again, with Palmer looking dangerous early on.
This time they are kept at bay.
Chelsea 1-0 Port Vale
17:22 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
Well, that didn't take long. At all.
That's Hato's third goal under Rosenior, and his third goal for Chelsea. It's the perfect start.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Port Vale | Jorrel Hato 2'
17:19 , George Flood2 mins: Wow - that certainly didn’t take long!
Chelsea force an early corner and Hato drives home the loose ball after Port Vale goalkeeper Gauci fails to clear with two attempted punches with the six-yard box packed.
Just the start Rosenior will have wanted. A huge mountain to climb already for the Valiants.
Chelsea vs Port Vale
17:17 , George FloodOff and running at Stamford Bridge, where it’s Chelsea blue against the white shirts of Port Vale.
Farai Hallam is the referee, with Neil Davies on VAR duty.
Enzo Fernandez all smiles ahead of kick-off
17:14 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
Enzo Fernandez has just taken a selfie with a Chelsea fan and is all smiles as he sits behind the Chelsea subs and begins his two-match club ban.
Here come the teams
17:13 , George FloodThe television cameras pan to a certain Enzo Fernandez looking relaxed and in good spirits sat behind the Chelsea bench before the starting teams make their way out at Stamford Bridge.
Kick-off is imminent.
Fan reaction
17:11 , George FloodChelsea fans on social media generally seem happy with what is a very strong lineup from Liam Rosenior, especially in attack.
But there are also plenty disappointed not to see Josh Acheampong start ahead of Tosin Adarabioyo in defence.
Josh Acheampong can’t even get a start over Tosin against a league 1 team, you can say goodbye to him in the summer. The next Lewis Hall.
— Pys (@CFCPys) April 4, 2026
Joao Pedro hurt in Chelsea warm-up
17:00 , George FloodJoao Pedro looks to have hurt himself during the pre-match warm-up at Stamford Bridge.
Hopefully nothing that will require his late withdrawal from Chelsea’s starting lineup...
'A team selection that shows how important the FA Cup now is'
16:56 , George FloodHere are more pre-match thoughts from Standard Sport’s Chelsea correspondent Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge...
🗣️ "A really strong team from Chelsea shows how important the FA Cup now is."@MrDomSmith previews this weekend's second quarter-final clash at Stamford Bridge
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) April 4, 2026
LIVE: https://t.co/UM3SSeevQl#CFC | #CHEPOR | #FACup | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/ByWgzoGoum
Strong Chelsea team is no surprise
16:53 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
Something of a surprise that Rosenior has gone quite so strong with the team?
To an extent, but then Chelsea have no need to rest given they are out of the Champions League and now have a free midweek before facing Manchester City.
This FA Cup run also takes on a new-found importance because of the fact they are out of Europe.
So it is understandable from Rosenior, and needs to be met with the right result.
Four Port Vale changes from Wycombe thrashing
16:46 , George FloodPort Vale boss Jon Brady makes four changes to the team hammered 4-0 at Wycombe in League One last weekend.
Jaheim Headley, Ethon Archer, Jordan Shipley and George Hall make way for Liam Gordon, Rhys Walters, Martin Sherif and Ben Waine.
Ryan Croasdale and Jayden Stockley are fit enough for the bench, but there’s no Onel Hernandez.
Three changes for Chelsea as Rosenior goes strong
16:37 , George FloodWith a clear midweek ahead and only one trophy left to play for this season, it’s a predictably strong team from Chelsea as Liam Rosenior makes only three changes to the side brushed aside 3-0 by Everton in the Premier League before the international break.
Jorrel Hato moves to left-back as Tosin Adarabioyo comes into central defence to partner Wesley Fofana, with Marc Cucurella dropping to the bench.
Andrey Santos is paired with Romeo Lavia in midfield with no Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo only among the substitutes.
Estevao is brought into the attack, with Cole Palmer named captain with no Reece James or Fernandez.
There is still no Jamie Gittens, with Chelsea’s bench including 17-year-old winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, who has yet to make his senior debut.
Port Vale lineup
16:29 , George FloodPort Vale XI: Gauci, Gabriel, Humphreys, C Hall, John, Gordon, Walters, Ojo, Garrity, Sherif, Waine
Subs: Amos, Stockley, Archer, Croasdale, Shipley, Campbell, G Hall, Magloire, Gray
Chelsea lineup
16:16 , George FloodChelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Tosin, Hato, Andrey Santos, Lavia, Estevao, Palmer, Neto, Joao Pedro
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Sarr, Cucurella, Caicedo, Essugo, Garnacho, Kavuma-McQueen, Delap
Brady backs Rosenior amid criticism of Chelsea boss
16:13 , George FloodJon Brady also backed Chelsea counterpart Liam Rosenior amid the recent criticism faced during the Blues’ run of four consecutive defeats across all competitions.
“I look at all that has gone on with him in the last few months and I'm just disappointed with media and people that want to try to put a good young English manager down,” he said.
"It seems to be a fact here in this country that anyone that's good that we seem to knock them down.
“I don't get it, I don't understand it."
Port Vale lose pitch leveller as Brady expects 'greased lightning'
16:10 , George FloodMuch has been made of the desperate state of Port Vale’s pitch this season, which undoubtedly helped them to topple both Bristol City and Sunderland 1-0 in the space of just five days last month.
But manager Jon Brady knows that there will be no such advantage today on a bowling green of a surface at Stamford Bridge.
"We said Sunderland would be the ultimate test, but that was at home,” the Australian said on Thursday.
“We'll hold our hands up, it [the Vale Park pitch] slowed the game down a bit and that played into our hands.
"This is away and in world football it's a huge test for any club.
“They've got an incredible squad and the pitch will be greased lightning.
"This will be one of the toughest challenges some of the players and myself will face in our careers, but one we have got to relish and enjoy and something that, no matter what, will create a memory for a lifetime."
Port Vale defy League One nightmare in FA Cup fairytale
15:57 , George FloodPlenty of FA Cup cutout trophy replicas among the 6,000-strong travelling fanbase this afternoon.
“Super Vale not stayin’ up, but we’re gonna win the FA Cup,” reads one.
Such a strange situation the club find themselves in, subject to strong criticism from supporters following a disastrous and short-lived return to League One after bouncing straight back by winning the League Two title last term.
Darren Moore was sacked in December and replaced by ex-Northampton boss Jon Brady on an 18-month deal, but he has been unable to rescue their fortunes.
But their otherwise dreadful 150th anniversary year has also featured this first run to the FA Cup quarter-finals for 72 years and shock wins over the likes of Sunderland and Bristol City.
Go figure!
Port Vale make first trip to Chelsea since 1928
15:47 , George FloodThe stage is set at Stamford Bridge, where Port Vale last visited in a 3-3 draw in Division Two all the way back in November 1928.
Their last competitive meeting with Chelsea was the same season in April 1929, when they won 1-0 at home.
The Valiants are bidding to again defy their League One struggles to become the first team from the third tier of English football to reach the FA Cup semi-finals since Sheffield United in 2013/14.
They have not reached this stage since 1953/54, when they beat Leyton Orient and then lost to West Brom in the last four at Villa Park.
Rosenior explains Fernandez sanction: 'A line was crossed'
15:31 , George FloodHere is what Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior had to say on the Enzo Fernandez situation at yesterday’s pre-match press conference...
“We spoke with Enzo an hour ago,” he said. “As a football club, with me as part of that process, we've made a decision.
“He won't be available for tomorrow's game and he won't be available for Manchester City on Sunday.
“I think for Enzo, it's disappointing to speak in that way.
“What I will say about Enzo is in terms of him as a character, as a person, I've got no bad words to say about him.
“But I think a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build.
“So we had to make a sanction and that was a decision we've made.”
Chelsea need FA Cup success to lift clouds amid tumultuous season
15:26 , George FloodNever a dull day. An international break tends to turn the spotlight away from clubs for a little while. Not at Chelsea. Not this time, writes Dom Smith.
These have been rather difficult days for the Chelsea PR machine.
A club already battered and bruised by four successive defeats for the first time since 2023 were further kicked while down by inflammatory comments made by key players Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez, criticising the way it is run and the overall direction.
A Premier League record annual pre-tax loss of £262million did not help either, but it was the comments by Fernandez that have really taken the biscuit.
Three weeks on from the Argentine kissing the Chelsea badge after scoring against Paris Saint-Germain, he was throwing his future into significant doubt in separate interviews, stirring the pot and practically inviting an approach from Real Madrid to come and sign him.
Read the full match preview here
Chelsea vs Port Vale prediction
15:16 , George FloodThis should, in theory, be a relatively straightforward game for Chelsea.
But questions are still likely to be asked of their fringe players, and of Liam Rosenior, depending on how much he rotates here.
With the FA Cup now the Blues’ only remaining hope of silverware this term, surely he goes as strong as possible?
Chelsea to win, 3-0.
Port Vale team news
15:13 , George FloodPort Vale midfielder Ryan Croasdale appeared to face a late fitness test ahead of today’s trip to Stamford Bridge.
However, striker Jayden Stockley is sidelined, as are centre-back Ben Heneghan and midfielder George Byres.
The Valiants were thrashed 4-0 away at play-off chasing Wycombe last weekend to leave them still rooted to the foot of League One and now 15 points adrift of safety with eight games remaining, with Jon Brady’s side having games in hand on their relegation rivals due to this unexpected FA Cup run in their 150th anniversary year.
Brady may consider changes after that drubbing at Adams Park as the likes of experienced duo Onel Hernandez and Andre Gray push to start.
Chelsea team news
15:02 , George FloodAs mentioned, there will be no Enzo Fernandez for Chelsea today or in next week’s home Premier League showdown with title-chasing Manchester City after the vice-captain was handed a club-imposed two-game ban for recent comments made in two separate interviews regarding his future at the club and a desire to live in Madrid that were deemed internally to have “crossed a line” amid transfer links to Real Madrid.
However, Marc Cucurella is available and avoided a club sanction for admitting during the international break that he would find it “difficult” to reject a move to Barcelona as he also questioned the decision to part ways with Liam Rosenior’s managerial predecessor, Enzo Maresca.
Skipper Reece James is still working his way back from his latest hamstring injury, while Trevoh Chalobah and Filip Jorgensen remain out and this game will come too soon for Levi Colwill.
However, wingers Estevao and Jamie Gittens are now both fit and Benoit Badiashile appears to have recovered from an illness.
How to watch Chelsea vs Port Vale
14:56 , George FloodTV channel: In the UK, Chelsea vs Port Vale will be televised live free to air on BBC One as well as TNT Sports 1.
Coverage on the BBC starts at 5pm BST, while the TNT broadcast begins at 4.30pm.
Live stream: You can stream the game live and for free on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website with a TV licence.
TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the HBO Max app and website, which has taken over from discovery+.
Chelsea vs Port Vale live
14:51 , George FloodGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Chelsea vs Port Vale on FA Cup quarter-final weekend.
The lowest-ranked team left in the competition, who currently sit rock bottom of League One and are nailed-on for relegation back to the EFL’s basement, face a daunting task as they travel to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1928 after upsetting the likes of Bristol City and Sunderland en route to a first last-eight berth for 72 years.
But they face a badly wounded Chelsea side who have lost four games in a row across all competitions for the first time since May 2023 and endured a truly miserable international break with players speaking out on their futures - leading to a club-imposed two-game ban for vice-captain Enzo Fernandez.
Can the lowly Valiants take advantage of that crisis and threaten an almighty shock in pursuit of Wembley?
Kick-off in west London, where they will be backed by some 6,000 travelling fans, is at 5:15pm BST, so stay tuned for match build-up, breaking team news and live updates.
We will also have expert insight and analysis from Chelsea correspondent Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge.
