Chelsea readied for Barca test as Willian leads rout of Hull

The Brazilian opened the scoring after just two minutes as he jinked inside onto his weaker left foot but still produced a fine curling shot into the far corner.

Olivier Giroud gets his first goal for Chelsea! ? pic.twitter.com/zPLLpDRUCt

— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) February 16, 2018

– Relieved Giroud –

A former Barca duo combined for the second as Cesc Fabregas’s lofted pass freed Pedro in behind the Hull defence to slot past David Marshall.

Willian showed he is capable of scoring from range off either foot as his low drive cushioned the post on its way past Marhsall moments later for his 10th goal of the season.

Giroud then cut a relieved figure when he tucked home debutant Emerson Palmieri’s low cross to round off a first 45 minutes to forget for the visitors.

“I was waiting for it,” said Giroud. “It was important for me to score my first goal. It’s relieved me a little bit.”

Hull had the chance to salvage some pride early in the second-half when Fabregas tripped Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson inside the area.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is happy to be facing Barca on the back of two straight wins pic.twitter.com/k26eVP85N0

— Goal UK (@GoalUK) February 17, 2018

But a dire night for Nigel Adkins’ men was complete when Willy Caballero saved David Meyler’s penalty.

And Willian was inches away from the hat-trick his display deserved when another long-range effort came back off the post two minutes from time.

Leicester joined Chelsea in the last eight as Riyad Mahrez provided the spark for the Foxes on his return to the starting line-up.

The Algerian’s only appearance in Leicester’s previous three outings came as a late substitute in a 5-1 drubbing at Manchester City last weekend following his self-imposed exile from training after Leicester rejected City’s advances for the winger last month.

However, he showed why the runaway Premier League leaders were interested with the teasing cross for Jamie Vardy to head home the only goal in a 1-0 win over Sheffield United.