IT’S FAB WAY TO SAY GOODBYE

Chelsea ........ 2 N Forest ....... 0 Cesc bows out with a wave but

TWO Spaniards. Two stories.

One was a reluctant hero. Another waved goodbye in tears.

Alvaro Morata kept holders Chelsea on course for Wembley yesterday but questions remain whether he will be around to finish the journey.

The same went for Cesc Fabregas as he left the field waving to fans who sensed it was his farewell after 198 appearances and 22 goals before it looks like he will join Monaco.

Even television pundit Gary Lineker was moved.

He said: “Emotional scenes as Cesc walked off the pitch in what is clearly his last game in English football.

“He’s been a credit to our game. “Wonderful footballer and top bloke. Wish him well.”

Carlo Cudicini, now a Chelsea coach and interpreter for boss Maurizio Sarri, said: “If that was Cesc’s last game then it was nice he did it in front of our fans. But we don’t know yet.

“As for Alvaro, it will do his morale the world of good.

“We know what he does in training. We have confidence in him.”

Morata scored two goals in 10 minutes to seal victory for Chelsea in a game they had dominated.

But somehow his celebrations were muted and you wonder if he has already decided

– like Fabregas – that his time at

Stamford Bridge is over.

Morata was replaced in the

74th minute and looked unhappy as he headed straight down the tunnel.

“Everyone is different.

Some players do not smile,” added Cudicini.

“Perhaps he also felt the effects of what the critics have been saying about him.

“It has been difficult for him but he has great qualities.

“Those goals were important. They were good for him and the club.

“Don’t forget that’s nine goals for Alvaro now. Not bad.”

His tap-in and header – both from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s crosses – were moments of gold in an otherwise fairly lukewarm third-round tie.

Morata accepted the acclaim of his team-mates but without the usual enthusiasm of strikers anxious to restore some gloss to their game after a lean spell.

Chelsea – FA Cup holders and eight-time winners – deserved to go through but their finishing was poor and Forest made them work hard, particuarly keeper Luke Steele, who saved a Fabregas penalty.

Recognising this Blues side from their Premier League starting line-up was no easy feat. Only David Luiz, Ross Barkley and the soon-to-be-gone Fabregas would be considered first choice.

But such are Chelsea’s riches they have stars to fill any gaps.

It made it tough for the famous old Championship side that had gone a month without an away win before beating leaders Leeds on New Year’s Day. Even without their main men, the hosts smoothly moved through gears in the opening skirmishes.

Luiz look-alike Ethan Ampadu was impressive in midfield while Barkley and Fabregas orchestrated the forward action.

Forest relied on hitting them on the break and were often eye-catching but never seemed to have the conviction to make a mark.

Hudson-Odoi has only played cameo roles for Chelsea this season and is a target for several clubs. He is keen to leave. The club want him to stay.

And he showed here why he is so much in demand.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s season took another turn for the worse when he left the pitch after 41 minutes, suffering yet another injury.

He left the field covering his eyes. It said it all. “Sad for him. A pity. Perhaps he needs a long rest and we need to look into what’s going on,” said Cudicini. Chelsea should have gone ahead on the half hour but Fabregas had a weak spot-kick saved by Steele after Danny Fox had fouled Lotus-Cheek. Fabegas made a stuttered run-up and his shot was turned comfortably away by Steele, who guessed it was going to his right.

Steele pulled off a superb 37th-minute save to deny Zappacosta following a bright, controlled dash out of defence by Morata.

Chelsea finally took the lead in the

49th minute when Hudson-Odoi crossed and Morata turned the ball home. The Spain striker added a second in the

59th minute, rising to head home another pin-point cross from Hudson-Odoi. Forest manager Aitor Karanka was philosophical about the defeat.

He said: “Chelsea were the better side. “That is their level. I can’t complain because our side never gave up. “Even when 2-0 down we were still pressing in the last minute.

“Now we concentrate on the league.”