Chelsea 2 — 0 Nottingham Forest
by Amar Azam
at Stamford Bridge

A PAIR of goals from Spanish stiker Alvaro Morata after the break put holders Chelsea through to the FA Cup fourth round at the expense of Championship side Nottingham Forest, but it was compatriot Cesc Fabregas who grabbed the limelight after appearing to have made his last appearance in English football.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder is expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the transfer window, with Monaco the likely destination for the 31-year-old, who has won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and League Cup during his stay in west London.

Fabregas, whose move is expected to be confirmed in the coming days after he appeared to wave goodbye to Chelsea supporters when he was substituted near the end of the match, said: “Time flies. It feels like it was last week that I started playing professionally and now it’s over 15 years.

“It has been a long time. For the young players, that they start playing, just a little advice – that they enjoy every single second because time flies, it goes so fast, enjoy every single second of it.”

Forest knocked out Arsenal at this stage last season, but the Championship side rarely threatened against the hosts in this contest which saw a laboured performance from Maurizio Sarri’s men.

With the likes of first-team stars N’Golo Kante and Jorginho rested in view of tomorrow’s League Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham Hotspur, Fabregas was given the opportunity in midfield.

His display was typically efficient, marked by a mix of characteristic lofted and short-range passes.

Chelsea fans then would have forgiven him his penalty miss on 30 minutes after his tame effort was smartly saved by Forest goalkeeper Luke Steele, who pounced low to his right to keep out the spot-kick.

However, Chelsea, eight-time winners of the competition, did not have to wait long after the interval as Aitor Karanka’s men buckled under the continuous pressure from the home side when Morata scored two goals in the second half.

Fabregas was substituted on 85 minutes, embracing teammate Eden Hazard on his way off the pitch. 

“In five years, I can say that I was lucky to play with him,” said Hazard. “We won the double together. He is a top guy on the pitch and a great friend of mine. I have admiration for him and I hope he will have a good future.”