Ruben Loftus-Cheek scores first Chelsea goal in third-round win over Scunthorpe

Chelsea progressed safely through to the fourth round of the FA Cup after goals from Diego Costa and a first from Ruben Loftus-Cheek saw them overcome a plucky Scunthorpe at Stamford Bridge.

Costa latched onto a cross from Branislav Ivanovic to put Chelsea ahead but Scunthorpe then had a huge penalty shout waved away when Ramires looked to have clipped Kevin van Veen early in the second half.

A first Chelsea goal on his FA Cup debut from Loftus-Cheek gave the hosts breathing space but Scunthorpe finished strongly, Jordan Clarke rattling Asmir Begovic’s bar with a fierce drive.

Scunthorpe’s penalty woe. Kevin van Veen looked mightily unfortunate not to have got the decision when Ramires clipped his heel in the box.

Diego Costa (Chelsea): Back to his combative best and has now scored four in his last three games. Even kept his cool when Scunthorpe tried to ruffle his feathers.

Chelsea: Begovic 6; Ivanovic 7, Zouma 6, Cahill 6, Azpilicueta 6; Ramires 6, Fabregas 6; Willian 7, Oscar 6, Pedro 6; Diego Costa 8. Subs: Loftus-Cheek 7, Kenedy 7, Traore 6.

Scunthorpe: Daniels 6, Clarke 7, Mirfin 6, Wallace 6, Laird 6, Dawson 7, Ness 6, Bishop 7, Williams 7, Madden 6, van Veen 7. Subs: King 6, Adelakun 6, Wootton 6.

13’ – GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Scunthorpe: Diego Costa latches onto Branislav Ivanovic’s cross from the right, nipping in between two defenders to score his eighth of the season.

53’ – PENALTY SHOUT: Van Veen runs at the Chelsea defence in the box and it looks like Ramires gets the slightest of touches and down he goes. Seen them given.

69’ – GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Scunthorpe: And it’s a first for Loftus-Cheek who slams home Azpilicueta’s cross with aplomb at the near post.

86’ – CLARKE RATTLES THE WOODWORK! A fierce drive from the right back catches Begovic by surprise and it cannons back off the bar.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek scores his first senior goal for Chelsea with his first shot on target for the club.

Diego Costa scores his eighth goal in all competition and he’s now scored four in the last three. Six in the Premier League, one in the Champions League before today.

Scunthorpe have still not beaten a top-flight side in the FA Cup since beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in the fourth round in 1970 (drew two, lost 12 since).

The Blues have progressed from the third round in each of the past 17 seasons, last falling to Manchester United in 1998 (lost 5-3).