Chelsea underlined their dominance with a commanding 7-0 win over League One’s bottom side Port Vale, extending their streak to seven consecutive FA Cup quarter-final victories since their defeat to Everton in 2016.

After impressively eliminating Premier League side Sunderland to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since the 1953/54 season, Port Vale faced a daunting challenge against the world champions.

The two teams had not met for 97 years, but the home supporters had barely settled into their seats when Chelsea struck first through Jorrel Hato, who fired a loose ball from a corner into the ground and beyond Joe Gauci.

That opening goal marked the 49th consecutive FA Cup home match in which Chelsea have scored against lower-league opposition. After a relatively quiet opening 20 minutes, Liam Rosenior’s side doubled their lead, continuing to assert control over the contest.

Pedro Neto initially seemed well contained, but he managed to escape his marker and square the ball for João Pedro, who showed excellent composure to score his eighth FA Cup goal in as many appearances.

With the hosts in full control, they added a third before the break through a well-worked move. A quick one-two between Malo Gusto and Pedro unlocked the defence, allowing Gusto to drive a low effort toward goal. His shot was parried into the path of Cole Palmer, who reacted quickly to finish, with the ball deflecting in off the unfortunate Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel.

The tempo remained unchanged after the interval, with Estêvão striking a first-time effort against the post early in the second half.

Port Vale showed more resistance after the break than in the opening period, but with 57 minutes played, Chelsea extended their advantage. Tosin Adarabioyo rose highest to meet Gusto’s cross, powering a header past Joe Gauci with no chance of saving it.

Estêvão then curled a strike onto the far post, but he quickly played a role in Chelsea’s fifth goal, delivering a corner that was headed in at the back post by an unmarked Andrey Santos.

Estêvão eventually got on the scoresheet himself, staying onside to tap in after Alejandro Garnacho struck the woodwork. Garnacho later added his own name to the scoresheet, winning and converting a penalty after being fouled in the box by Tyler Magloire.

With the result, Chelsea have now progressed from all 38 cup ties against lower-league opposition since the 2015/16 season, securing a place in the semi-finals at Wembley following a routine and dominant display.

Port Vale’s impressive FA Cup run ultimately came to an end, and attention now turns back to their league campaign, where they face the prospect of relegation to the fourth tier after managing just seven wins in 38 matches this season (D10, L21).