Chelsea 2 Nottingham Forest 0: Alvaro Morata on target as Callum Hudson-Odoi shines in Cesc Fabregas’s final game

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Simon Johnson5 January 2019

Alvaro Morata ensured Cesc Fabregas's Chelsea career ended on a high as his second half brace put the Blues through to the FA Cup Fourth Round.

Fabregas, who is expected to leave for Monaco next week, suffered the embarrassment of seeing a penalty kick saved at 0-0.

Morata missed a few sitters himself on a mixed afternoon for the £58m striker, but finished from six yards on two occasions to spare his own and Fabregas's blushes.

The script was written for Fabregas to have the perfect send-off after four-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge.

Significantly, the Spain midfielder not only started this Third Round tie, he was given the captain's armband too.

The manner in which the 31-year-old applauded the fans after the home draw against Southampton in midweek gave a strong indication that he was in the process of saying farewell.

A social media post on his Twitter account also highlighted how it was his 500th appearance in English football - a landmark he wanted to reach before leaving for pastures new.

The way in which he began the match against Forest would have led many in the stadium to question why Chelsea weren't doing more to keep him.

Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Clive Rose/Getty Images

Passing the ball with aplomb this way and that, the home crowd soon sang the 'Fabregas is magic' chant that was created in his honour.

In the fourth minute, he could have put Chelsea into an early lead only to scuff his shot - as far as his finishing goes, it was the start of things to come.

He had a golden opportunity to sign off with a goal when Ruben Loftus-Cheek was tripped in the area by Danny Fox.

Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

But the former Barcelona and Arsenal man tried to be too clever, doing a stuttered run-up before aiming a tame shot toward the corner - which Luke Steele palmed to safety with ease.

This game wasn't just about him though. The home fans got what they wished in seeing three academy graduates in the first XI in Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

The latter was a particularly welcome sight given Bayern Munich's bid to sign him this month.

Chelsea have offered the 18-year-old a new contract, but a lack of game-time under Sarri is making him think twice about signing it.

Bayern's most recent offer, that was rejected, was around £30m. In the first half, the England Under-21 international showed only flashes of the talent that justified such a fee.

Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

But it was a different story after the break as his assists were so good that even the misfiring Morata couldn't miss.

For the opening strike, he beat Saidy Janko on the right flank before sending a superb cross to the near post for Morata to tuck home.

It was a similar story for the second - this time it was a lovely flighted effort for the 26-year-old to head in the far corner.

If any Bayern scouts were watching, it surely will be tempting them to come back with an even higher bid.

Hudson-Odoi certainly had a more enjoyable outing than the unfortunate Loftus-Cheek.

With Willian and Pedro currently sidelined, a real opportunity for regular first team football has finally arrived.

But after impressing for half an hour, he limped off just before the break and appeared to be in tears as he headed straight down the tunnel.

He wasn't the only one. Morata also saw his chances of a hat-trick disappear after picking up a knock and must be a doubt for the League Cup semi-final against Tottenham.

Then just before the end, Fabregas also suffered a niggle. It gave everyone in the ground a chance to applaud him off.

No-one will remember the poor spot kick - Fabregas has been a key figure in the winning of four major trophies since joining for £30m in 2014 and has definitely been money well spent.

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