Chelsea 4 Brentford 0: Willian scores the pick of the goals as Blues demolish Bees
Brazilian was on target with a trademark set-piece, with Pedro, Branislav Ivanovic and Michy Batshuayi also on target in rout
WILLIAN scored the pick of the goals with a stunning free-kick as Chelsea cruised into the FA Cup fifth round.
The Brazilian was on target with a trademark set-piece before Pedro slipped the ball under Brentford stopper Daniel Bentley to put the Blues in command after 21 minutes.
Branislav Ivanovic finished off a superb breakaway to put the tie beyond the Championship outfit before Michy Batshuayi powered home a fourth from the spot.
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Antonio Conte's side head into Tuesday's league clash at Anfield in good form while Jurgen Klopp is reeling from a shock 2-1 defeat to Wolves.
The Blues then host Arsenal in a top-of-the-table double that could see them all but claim the title.
Brentford face Aston Villa on Tuesday hoping to keep themselves clear of the drop zone.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS
- Brentford took over Chelsea's Shed End with 6,000 fans after selling out their allocation in less than a day
- Defender Nathan Ake is recalled from loan at Bournemouth and makes his first Chelsea appearance since May 18 2015
- Blues veteran Branislav Ivanovic was on the bench in what looks like being his last weekend as a Chelsea player before a move to Zenit St Petersburg
- Willian put the Premier League leaders ahead on 14 minutes from a free kick after Pedro fouled on the edge of the box
Chelsea's next five fixtures
Liverpool (a) - Jan 31
Arsenal (h) - Feb 4
Burnley (a) - Feb 12
Swansea (h) - Feb 25
West ham (a) - Mar 6
- Pedro then scored the second - rounding off a four-man move also involving Willian, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Michy Batshuayi, who hit the decisive pass. The goal was his fifth in six games
- Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta were the only two players not rested from the last game - a Premier League win over Hull last Sunday
- Bees' keeper Daniel Bentley stopped a shot from Batshuayi on the goal-line after 28 minutes of one way traffic
- Ivanovic scored within four minutes of coming on as a sub by blasting home a pass from Pedro
SOCIAL SAYS
WHAT THEY SAID
Antonio Conte: "We play two games very tough against two rivals to win the league, but for me now my focus, my concentration is to go into the next round of the FA Cup.
"I hope the same thought is in the mind of my players. It's an opportunity for us - for me - to see many players who are not playing."
Dean Smith: "We know that it is going to be a tough game but it is one that we are looking forward to.
"We know the pool of talent that they have but we will be going all-out to win the game.
"You only have to look at who could play, like Willian and Michy Batshuayi who cost £65 million combined."
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Chelsea: Begovic 7; Zouma 7, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 7; Pedro 8, Chalobah, Fabregas 8, Ake 7; Willian 8, Batshuayi 8, Loftus-Cheek 7.
Subs: Ivanovic 7, Kenedy 6, Costa 5.