Michy Batshuayi double puts Chelsea into FA Cup fifth round

Marcos Alonso's superb free kick makes it a comfortable win for Antonio Conte's side at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi reacts after Marcos Alonso scored the London club's third goal against Newcastle United. John Sibley / Reuters

Michy Batshuayi scored twice as Chelsea beat Premier League rivals Newcastle United 3-0 to advance into the fifth round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Batshuayi's goals in the 31st and 44th minutes and a Marcos Alonso free kick 18 minutes from time were enough for Premier League champions Chelsea to see off Rafael Benitez's struggling side.

The Belgian's striker's first was the result of a neat team move, Pedro's superb through ball splitting the Newcastle defence and leading to Eden Hazard slipping a pass inside to Alonso.

Spaniard Alonso toed the ball first-time to Batshuayi, who made no mistake with a simple finish from eight yards out.

The Belgian forward scored his and Chelsea's second goal shortly before half time when Pedro again initiated an attacking move, his pass releasing Hazard to run at a struggling defence.

Batshuayi, up in support, looked set to run across his man but instead moved away, creating the space for Hazard to play him in before his shot took a huge deflection off Newcastle's Jamaal Lascelles and looped over goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

Any lingering doubt about the result was settled in the 72nd minute when Alonso whipped a left-footed free kick over the defensive wall to make it 3-0.

NEW HAIR DONT CARE 😝😂 Clean sheet, 2 goals and through next round 👌🏾 today was a good day @ChelseaFC 😋🤙🏾 pic.twitter.com/NCK4vZwUSC

— Michy Batshuayi (@mbatshuayi) January 28, 2018

There have been suggestions that Batshuayi could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge during the closing days of the January transfer window.

But as for his immediate future, Batshuayi said he wanted to impress Blues manager Antonio Conte, telling BT Sport: "When I have a chance I take the chance and I work every day to be here. It's not for me to decide, it's the boss ... it's best that you ask Conte!"

The Chelsea manager said he had no desire to see Batshuayi depart the club.

"Scoring goals is important for strikers' confidence. My task is to keep every single player happy and with Michy I think we are doing a good job," Conte said.

Chelsea are 15 points behind runaway league leaders Manchester City and, following their League Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal, the FA Cup offers Conte's men their best chance of a domestic trophy this season.

"There were some great performances, especially from this man next to me [Batshuayi] with two great goals," said Chelsea captain Gary Cahill.

"It [the FA Cup] a very important competition for us this year," the defender added.

🎥 NUFC TV: Watch Rafa Benítez's reaction to today's @EmiratesFACup defeat at @ChelseaFC for free.

📺 https://t.co/x2ZnwfRFhF #NUFC pic.twitter.com/ZdjFb9WfD7

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 28, 2018

By contrast, Premier League survival is the priority for a Newcastle side that are currently just one point above the relegation zone.

Newcastle manager Benitez, asked if he would be able to bring in a new striker before the transfer window shuts on Wednesday, replied: "I don't think so but we will see. We will try to do something.

"I have to prepare the team for the next game against Burnley and then we'll see if we can do something before the transfer window closes."

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Read more:

• Jurgen Klopp wants immediate response from Liverpool after FA Cup exit
• Alan Pardew upset by VAR use despite West Bromwich Albion knocking Liverpool out of FA Cup
• Pochettino admits Tottenham 'were so poor' as they escape with a replay against Newport County in FA Cup

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