Paul Merson has described Tosin Adarabioyo’s opening goal in Chelsea’s 5-0 FA Cup third-round victory over Morecambe as a “fluke” after the defender’s strike benefited from a significant deflection.

Adarabioyo, who scored his first goal for the Blues in the 39th minute, gave Chelsea the lead at Stamford Bridge with a shot from just outside the box. However, it took a massive deflection off Morecambe defender Callum Jones, completely wrong-footing goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne.

Reflecting on the goal during Sky Sports News, Merson said, “Chelsea have hit the front, but what a fluke it is. Tosin gets the ball about 25 yards out. He comes forward, he hits it, it takes a massive deflection. Burgoyne goes one way, the ball goes in the net the other way. He has no chance of stopping it.”

The former Arsenal midfielder praised Morecambe’s efforts up to that point, saying, “Really disappointing for Morecambe, who have done really well. It’s just a massive deflected shot off the [defender’s] backside.”

Adarabioyo went on to score his second goal of the match in the second half, a superb strike that marked his third overall for the club since his summer arrival as a free agent. Merson was full of praise for this effort, calling it a “worldie.”

Chelsea’s emphatic win saw them comfortably progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup, with Adarabioyo playing a pivotal role in the team’s dominant display.