Since the turn of the millennium, the Blues have hosted FA Cup third-round ties on 21 occasions. All but one visiting side has been eliminated at our west London home.

That was Southend United in 2009. Then in League One, the Shrimpers forced a replay after Peter Clarke’s last-minute equaliser cancelled out what appeared to have been a winner from Salomon Kalou.

Southend threatened an even bigger shock when they took the lead in the replay at Roots Hall, but goals from Michael Ballack, Kalou, Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard eased us to a 4-1 win. We went on to lift the FA Cup later that year.

Of those 21 third-round ties played at Stamford Bridge since 2000/01, three were replays after the Blues had been held.

While we made little fuss in the first two – romping to 4-0 wins over Norwich City in 2002 and Watford in 2004 – our most recent third-round replay, played in 2018, saw us require a penalty shootout to overcome Norwich once again.

Three of the 21 ties were settled by the odd goal. Chelsea prevailed 1-0 against Middlesbrough in 2003 and Queens Park Rangers in 2008, and we saw off Huddersfield Town 2-1 in 2006.

More often, however, the Blues have dominated third-round ties at the Bridge. Seven goals were scored against Ipswich Town in 2011; six came against Ipswich Town in 2011; five were struck against Peterborough United in 2001, Watford in 2010, and Chesterfield in 2021, and last season it was four at home to Preston.

FA Cup third-round ties at Stamford Bridge since 2001...