Match ends, Walsall 1, Chelsea 4.
WalsallWalsall1ChelseaChelsea4
Chelsea eased through to the fourth round of the League Cup with a comfortable win over Walsall.
The Premier League side went ahead when summer signing Kenedy crossed for Ramires to nod home.
Remy doubled their lead with a powerful finish, but Walsall responded quickly when James O'Connor tapped in after Milan Lalkovic's free-kick was parried.
Kenedy's goal ended the League One side's hopes of an upset before Pedro added a fourth from distance.
The scoreline was perhaps harsh on the Saddlers, who competed strongly throughout, but Chelsea never looked in danger of a first League Cup defeat to lower-league opposition since 1989.
It was Brazilian Kenedy, signed from Fluminense, who particularly caught the eye on his first start for the Blues.
The 19-year-old reacted quickly when Walsall keeper Neil Etheridge lost possession to set up compatriot Ramires, and took his goal superbly with a firm strike through Etheridge's legs.
Walsall, who are currently second in the third tier, have now failed to reach the fourth round for the last 18 seasons.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "We were not here to throw away a competition. When you start the season with bad results like we did you cannot lose against a League One team.
"To lose a game against a League One team now would not be good for us. We don't need that bad feeling now. We need good feelings.
"The team was strong, played well and I'm happy with the result."
Walsall manager Dean Smith: "The team talk was: 'We're not here to try not to lose, we're here to try and win.'
"They make it very difficult for you and they protect their back four very well. We gave it a go and we're disappointed with the scoreline a little bit. Maybe 4-1 flattered them."
League Cup fourth round draw
Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Liverpool v Bournemouth
Manchester United v Middlesbrough
Everton v Norwich City
Southampton v Aston Villa
Sheffield Wednesday v Arsenal
Hull City v Leicester City
Stoke City v Chelsea
(Ties to be played on 27 and 28 October)
Line-ups
Walsall
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Etheridge
- 2Demetriou
- 6Downing
- 4O'Connor
- 14Henry
- 7ChambersBooked at 59minsSubstituted forFlanaganat 73'minutes
- 8Mantom
- 18Morris
- 10Sawyers
- 15LalkovicSubstituted forFordeat 73'minutesBooked at 83mins
- 21CookSubstituted forBaxendaleat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Taylor
- 11Baxendale
- 12Forde
- 13MacGillivray
- 16Preston
- 17Flanagan
- 22Kinsella
Chelsea
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Begovic
- 2Ivanovic
- 26TerryBooked at 52mins
- 24Cahill
- 6Baba
- 12MikelBooked at 39mins
- 36Loftus-CheekSubstituted forMaticat 72'minutes
- 7Santos do Nascimento
- 16KenedySubstituted forPedroat 70'minutes
- 18Remy
- 9FalcaoSubstituted forDjilobodjiat 90+3'minutes
Substitutes
- 10E Hazard
- 14Traore
- 15Djilobodji
- 17Pedro
- 21Matic
- 27Blackman
- 34Aina
- Referee:
- Lee Mason
- Attendance:
- 10,525
Match Stats
Home TeamWalsallAway TeamChelsea
- Possession
- Home45%
- Away55%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away8
- Corners
- Home4
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home4
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Walsall 1, Chelsea 4.
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Papy Djilobodji replaces Falcao.
Goal!
Goal! Walsall 1, Chelsea 4. Pedro (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
Post update
Attempt saved. Pedro (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt saved. Ramires (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sam Mantom (Walsall) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Nemanja Matic.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Pedro.
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. James Baxendale replaces Jordan Cook.
Booking
Anthony Forde (Walsall) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Anthony Forde (Walsall).
Post update
Falcao (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Reece Flanagan (Walsall) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Nemanja Matic.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kieron Morris (Walsall) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Falcao (Chelsea) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left.
Post update
Attempt missed. Romaine Sawyers (Walsall) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by John Obi Mikel.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Anthony Forde (Walsall) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
