Chelsea 7 Ipswich Town 0

Of all the numerous FA Cup clichés, it was the one about this competition offering a welcome break from the pressures of the league that felt most appropriate at Stamford Bridge today.

It is a saying that has generally only ever applied to clubs haunted by the threat of relegation, but it is doubtful whether another set of players – or manager – were more relieved to be granted a week off from the relentless demands of the Premier League.

Barely a week seems to go by just now when Carlo Ancelotti’s team do not surpass some sort of landmark for the worst run of league form in Chelsea’s recent history.

Here, though, was also a reminder that they have the opportunity this year to become the first club since Blackburn Rovers 125 years ago to win the FA Cup in three consecutive years.

Of more immediate importance, there were clear signs that the team can emerge from the recent slump to provide a genuine challenge for silverware.

The depth of Chelsea’s squad had always reduced the possibility for significant rotation today but, in Josh McEachran and Daniel Sturridge, there is also hope that an ageing squad can be partially renewed.

Sturridge’s two excellent finishes were what most caught the eye but the selfless industry of McEachran was arguably more impressive.

At Just 17, McEachran was superb breaking up the play and recycling possession in John Obi-Mikel’s usual holding role in front of the defence.

After absorbing a flurry of early Ipswich Town pressure that forced good Petr Cech saves from Conor Wickham and Jason Scotland, the match settled into a pattern whereby Chelsea simply pounded the Ipswich defence.

The tormentor-in-chief was initially Nicolas Anelka who all but scored the first by surging into the Ipswich penalty area and guiding his finish to Marton Fulop’s left.

Fulop managed to get just enough contact to slow rather than stop the ball as Salomon Kalou gratefully ensured that the already goal-bound shot crossed the line.

The second goal followed within a minute when Sturridge brilliantly back-heeled Jose Bosingwa’s cross beyond Fulop.

The match was then all over as a contest by half-time when Carlos Edwards’ inadvertently back-headed Frank Lampard’s free-kick into his own goal.

After the difficulties of recent weeks, Chelsea were in no mood to let up during the second-half as Anelka finally got the goal his performance merited following a neat exchange of passing with Sturridge.

Ancelotti had stressed before the match that there was no way he would allow Sturridge out on loan this month and the 21-year-old further vindicated his manager’s confidence with an outstanding finish from the edge of the penalty area for Chelsea’s fifth.

Ipswich were completely deflated, with the rout completed by two Lampard goals in the space of a minute.

Bigger tests clearly await and there was a blunt message in the matchday programme from Chelsea captain John Terry, who described recent results as “unacceptable.”

Ipswich, who sacked Roy Keane last Thursday, are expected to announce the appointment of Paul Jewell as their new manager early this week. But their fixtures do not get any easier. Next up? Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Jeremy Wilson (The Telegraph)