After Michael Essien was replaced John Mikel Obi took the captain's armband, and, on his 300th appearance in a Chelsea shirt, capped his day with a goal, thumping home Willian's free-kick with a bullet header.

Oscar added a second soon after, swerving the ball past Derby's keeper Lee Grant with a fine strike, and the remaining minutes were played out in relative comfort as we eventually eased into the fourth round, where a home tie with Stoke City awaits.