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Chelsea vs Peterborough United. The FA Cup Third Round.

Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 4

  • Pedro (18th minute, 75th minute)
  • M Batshuayi (43rd minute)
  • Willian (52nd minute)
  • J Terry (sent off 67th minute)

Peterborough United 1

  • T Nichols (70th minute)

Chelsea 4-1 Peterborough: John Terry sent off as Blues ease past Peterborough in FA Cup third round

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 08:  Pedro of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Pe
Image: Pedro netted twice for Chelsea as they beat Peterborough 4-1 on Sunday

John Terry was sent off on his return to the Chelsea starting line-up as the Blues beat Peterborough 4-1 in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

The club captain was given his marching orders after a foul on Posh striker Lee Angol in the 66th minute, although the home side were already on their way to victory.

Pedro book-ended the scoring - netting in the 18th minute and again with 16 minutes of the game to play - with strikes from Michy Batshuayi (43) and Willian (52) sandwiched in between. 

Tom Nichols replied for the hosts four minutes after Terry's sending off, but it could not inspire a comeback as Chelsea cruised into the fourth round.  

It was a fast start at Stamford Bridge from both sides, with Peterborough goalkeeper Luke McGee saving from a Gary Cahill flick, before Asmir Begovic denied Angol at the other end. Peterborough again tested the Blues defence on the quarter-hour mark as Nichols saw his shot put wide by Cahill before Ryan Tafazolli also nodded past the post from a corner.

John Terry is sent off for Chelsea
Image: John Terry was sent off for Chelsea on his return to the starting XI on Sunday

But Chelsea took the lead in the 18th minute with Pedro sending them on their way to victory. It was a delightful team goal for Chelsea as Cesc Fabregas teed up Ruben Loftus-Cheek - seeing his effort blocked - before Nathaniel Chalobah had his long-range shot well saved.

However, he couldn't prevent the rebound finding Pedro, who took a few steps to find some space before curling into the top corner.

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Chelsea's Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi (R) celebrates scoring their second goal during the English FA Cup third round football match between Chelsea and
Image: Michy Batshuayi celebrates scoring the second for Chelsea during the FA Cup tie

The Spaniard was involved again in the 34th minute when Chelsea really should have added their second. Loftus-Cheek burst towards the box and going for goal, but Tottenham loanee McGee was there again to push away the shot. It fell back to the midfielder who passed to Pedro instead of trying his luck again, with the former Barcelona man firing a shot again on the underside of the crossbar from point blank range before it was cleared by the Posh defence.

But there were no mistakes nine minutes later when the Blues did double their lead with two minutes of the half to play. Branislav Ivanovic powered down the right flank, with his cross finding Loftus-Cheek in the box. He in turn flicked the ball into the path of Batshuayi who slid home to make it 2-0 at the end of the first half.

Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian (L) scores their third goal during the English FA Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Peterborough at
Image: Willian curls home as he put Chelsea 3-0 ahead at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea came racing out of the traps in the second period, with Loftus-Cheek just slipping the ball wide of the post within the first minutes, but the Blues capitalised on their fast start seven minutes after the break.

It was another lovely goal, with Pedro getting away down the left wing, picking out Willian at the top of the box. The Brazilian took a few touches before curling past a leaping McGee to put Chelsea in control.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 08:  John Terry of Chelsea is shown a red card by referee Kevin Friend during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Chels
Image: Kevin Friend was not interested in Terry's pleas for clemency before sending the Chelsea captain off

Things took a brief turn for the worse for Chelsea as they went down to ten men in the 66th minute as Terry saw red. As Angol raced towards goal, the captain clipped him to send him tumbling over the legs of the defender, instantly appealing to referee Kevin Friend for clemency in the aftermath. However, it was not to much effect as the referee produced the card to send Terry for an early shower and marring his 50th FA Cup start for the Blues.

Peterborough were offered a brief glimmer of hope four minutes later as they pulled a goal back. Michael Smith got away down the right flank and fired a cross into the box, with Nichols latching onto it at the back post and turning the ball home.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 08: Lee Angol of Peterborough United (R) and Kurt Zouma of Chelsea (L) battle for possession during The Emirates FA Cup Third Rou
Image: Lee Angol battles with Kurt Zouma for possession at Stamford Bridge

But the cut deficit was not to last as Pedro nabbed his second of the afternoon to restore the three-goal lead. It was some great give and go play between the Spaniard and Batshuayi, with the latter laying the ball off to his Blues team-mate that allowed him to expertly curl home.

The game was seen out with relative ease by Chelsea who could have rounded it off with a late fifth - only to be denied by McGee - as they booked their place in the fourth round draw on Monday evening.

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