FA Cup 2017/18: Chelsea 4-0 Hull City; 5 Talking Points

It was an easy route to the quarter-finals for Chelsea as they smashed Hull City 4-0 at Stamford Bridge. The return to the starting lineup for Willian from injury was a difference maker as he showed his immediate influence and bragged a brace.

Hull City failed to capitalize on their opportunity to get on the scoresheet when David Meyler's penalty was comfortably saved by Willy Caballero ensuring a clean sheet was secured. This was the perfect way for Chelsea to end the week before starting their preparations for the huge Champions League game against Barcelona.

Here are the five talking points from the game:

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#5 Swift start for Chelsea

The reigning Premier League Champions got off to the perfect start. An early goal set the tone for the rest of the first half. Getting an early goal was pivotal against a Championship side or else the struggles would have been similar to the game against Norwich City.

It gave the rest of the team the confidence to settle into the game because it was all upwards for Chelsea after the first goal. Pedro scored the second in the 27th minute following an excellent link-up play between Olivier Giroud and Cesc Fabregas.

Willian scored his second goal five minutes later. Debutant Emerson got into the spoils when he provided the ball for Olivier Giroud to score his first goal for his new club.

#4 Emerson's debut

Chelsea's new signing got his long-awaited opportunity

An injury to Marcos Alonso finally resulted in January arrival Emerson getting a chance to make his debut. It didn't take long for him to get involved. His first bit of action was when he blocked an upward cross coming right towards his side.

The former Roma man was getting up and down the left wing and commanded his position well. He showed flair in attack with his dribbling and crossing skills. He rounded off his first game in a Chelsea shirt perfectly when he the assisted Olivier Giroud for his first goal which was the fourth on the night for the West-London club.

#3 Formation change

Conte's experiments worked perfectly

Antonio Conte decided to switch it up by playing the 3-4-3 formation instead of 3-5-2. Allowing two wingers to play off the striker in a front three provided dividends. Willian and Pedro created the width and got into goal scoring positions with each of them ultimately getting rewarded with goals for themselves.

Cesc Fabregas was a treat to watch in the centre of midfield. His passing and vision were pleasing to the eye and he got his assist when he played a sublime pass to his compatriot Pedro who finished it off to make it 2-0.

#2 Perfect preparation for Barca

It was all-smiles at Stamford Bridge

It was important Chelsea got an emphatic and convincing win before their meeting with Barcelona in the Champions League. Any result other than a win would have left the team in panic mode. Olivier Giroud getting his maiden goal for his new team, Emerson's impressive debut, and even a clean sheet mean that they will be high on spirits.

Willian's timely comeback could prove to be the turn around the West-London club needed. It makes their bench stronger and leaves Antonio Conte with added options. Cesc Fabregas had one of his best game as he was magical in midfield.

The Blues will be high on confidence going into next week with two comfortable wins this week in the FA Cup and Premier League. It may prove to be the lift that Conte's side needed heading into one of the biggest clashes of their season.

#1 Willian's return from injury

Willian bragged a brace

Willian's comeback from a hamstring injury has got to be one of the biggest positives for Chelsea in the coming months since they have a huge round of 16 fixture against Barcelona in the Champions League and face the two Manchester clubs in the following weeks of the Premier League.

However, he made an instant impact on his return against Hull City. He put Chelsea ahead in the second minute of the game itself and bagged his second in the 32nd minute. His absence hurt Chelsea during their back-to-back defeats against Bournemouth and Watford in the league.

This season, the Brazilian has stepped up his game immensely. Whenever he has got a place in the starting lineup, he has delivered. He is finally giving Chelsea the output that he is capable of producing through goals and assists. He will be one of the crucial players other than Eden Hazard in Chelsea's revival till the end of the season.

13 - Willian has had a hand in 13 goals in his last 14 starts for Chelsea in all competitions (eight goals, five assists). Quickfire. #CHEHUL pic.twitter.com/GPpHz7TlN1

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 16, 2018