Frank’s relief after Tomori sees off Hull
MICHY BATSHUAYI scored his first goal in 14 matches as Chelsea squeezed into the fifth round despite a late rally from mid-table Championship side Hull City.
Batshuayi, replacing the injured Tammy Abraham, is good in the cup and fired the Londoners ahead early, with Fikayo Tomori appearing to make the game safe midway through the second half.
Yet Chelsea had to endure some anxious late moments when Kamil Grosicki’s deflected free- kick beat Willy Caballero.
Batshuayi may be seen as a cup talisman, having reached the quarter-finals with loan club Crystal Palace last season and scoring 15 times in the competition.
His manager, four-time FA Cup winner Frank Lampard, made eight changes and after a hesitant opening they went through the gears to score.
Mateo Kovacic turned defence into attack with a masterful pass to release Cesar Azpilicueta and within seconds t he full- back produced a decent cross.
Mason Mount took the ball in his stride and though the youngster’s shot was blocked, the rebound fell to Batshuayi and he beat goalkeeper George Long with the aid of a deflection.
Hull, 12th in the Championship, did not let their heads drop. Their manager Grant McCann reached the fifth round with Doncaster last season and midfielder Herbie Kane had followed him on loan from Liverpool.
Top scorer Jar rod Bowen showed why Premier League clubs were watching him closely with some neat footwork and a teasing cross to test Chelsea stand-in keeper Caballero.
Tigers fans would have wanted the best chance of the opening half hour to fall to Bowen rather than Tom Eaves, who failed to capitalise.
But Chelsea should have wrapped up the game after 33 minutes. Kovacic played another defence-splitting pass to Mount but his touch was slightly too firm and allowed Long to smother.
Ross Barkley then surged down the right and fired in a centre that almost reached Batshuayi.
Bowen responded with a shot blocked by Kurt Zouma and then produced a neat turn before a weak s hot was comfortably gathered. Chelsea fans chanted the name of Lampard as they reached the interval ahead.
Lamp a rd has enjoyed an impressive debut season in charge of the club, sitting in the top four and reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Hull had a decent chance at the start of the second half when awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area.
Bowen hovered menacingly but Kane was the player to strike. It was the wrong choice and it flew harmlessly wide. At least the half- opening gave home fans reason to turn up the volume. Zouma and Azpilicueta got in each other’s way but Eaves wasn’t quick enough to take advantage.
It was a sign of the times that Batshuayi spent more time in his own penalty area than the Hull one in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, making a crucial block at one stage.
Chelsea were relieved to reach the hour still in front. Bowen lived up to his promise with a dynamic run past three defenders before a shot that fizzed narrowly over.
Encouraged, home manager McCann sent on one of his big guns, Kamil Grosicki, aware the wing er form san excellent combination with Bowen.
Chelsea were under pressure but then broke out and showed their quality with a second goal.
Mount was crudely brought down by Eric Lichaj, who was booked, and from the free-kick floated in by Barkley to the far post Tomori found space to head home powerfully.
Hull threw themselves a lifeline after 78 minutes. Marcos Alonso fouled Martin Samuelson and from the free- kick Grosicki’s well-struck effort deflected off Kovacic and in.