MK Dons 1-5 Chelsea: Oscar hits hat-trick in Blues romp

Jan 31, 2016 

The midfielder scored three goals before half-time while Eden Hazard ended his eight-month goal drought as Guus Hiddink's men made light work of their Championship opponents

Oscar scored a hat-trick and Eden Hazard found the back of the net for the first time this season as Chelsea thumped MK Dons 5-1 and eased into the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The Blues crashed out to League One Bradford City at the same stage last season, but a repeat never seemed to be on the cards at the home of Karl Robinson's Championship strugglers.
Oscar had passed up two gilt-edged chances before Diego Costa was presented with possession by Dons defender Kyle McFadzean to tee him up for the opener.
A deflected strike from Mark Potter gave the Dons a scarcely deserved equaliser, but there were two more crisp finishes from their tormentor-in-chief to wrap up a treble inside 44 minutes.
Reigning PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year Hazard had remarkably failed to find the net in 28 Chelsea appearances this term, but won and converted a penalty to end his slump after half-time and laid on substitute Bertrand Traore to complete the scoring.
Costa has scored six times in as many outings for boss Guus Hiddink and the striker should have prolonged that purple patch in the second minute when Oscar squared, but David Martin pulled off a stunning reaction save.
Oscar twice shot tamely wide when picked out by Hazard inside the area, either side of saving with his boot from Branislav Ivanovic.
But the Brazil international made no mistake in the 15th minute, sliding home into an empty net after McFadzean's horrible error.
The signs were ominous for the hosts, but they drew level thanks to a large stroke of fortune six minutes later.
Potter's speculative attempt looped wickedly off Nemanja Matic before beating Thibaut Courtois.
Chelsea continued to cut through the home backline at will and a combination of Martin and the post denied Hazard before Costa slid in to take a simple finish off Oscar's toe. Both men were left seated and smirking with embarrassment inside the six-yard box.
Oscar's busy afternoon in front of goal continued in the 32nd minute – the impressive Ruben Loftus-Cheek flicking a delightful pass into his path for him to fire across Martin.
A first-half hat-trick was complete when the midfielder cut inside from the Dons' porous right flank and arrowed a superb strike into the far corner.
Hazard finally opened his account for the season after 55 minutes, sending Martin the wrong way from 12 yards after being bundled over by Potter.
The Belgium international celebrated at length in front of the travelling supporters, kissing the club badge.
Rob Hall had a rising drive tipped over by Courtois as the Dons looked to ease the severity of their beating, but more pain arrived after the hour.
Traore's first Chelsea goal was one of unacceptable simplicity from the hosts' point of view as Hazard collected a long ball unchallenged and found Costa's replacement to slot into the bottom corner.
There should have been a brace for Traore, but he slipped and put Baba Rahman's 77th-minute cutback wide.
Chelsea are now unbeaten in eight matches under Hiddink and remain on course to celebrate the Dutchman's mid-season salvage job with FA Cup glory – as they did in 2009.