Armando Broja ended his goal drought to help Chelsea to a 4-0 win against a stubborn Preston side at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues disappointed in the first half, but after Broja's glancing header in the 58th minute, they coasted to victory.

Thiago Silva headed in a Cole Palmer corner just minutes later before Raheem Sterling netted a stunning free-kick.

Enzo Fernandez sealed victory with a late tap-in after a long VAR check, with academy star Alfie Gilchrist making his first start and Michael Golding earning a Chelsea debut as a late substitute.

Djordje Petrovic - 6

The Serb saved the tame shots thrown at him and had one lapse in his kicking game, but it was good enough.

Alfie Gilchrist - 7

The 20-year-old defender made his full debut and almost set up a goal for Sterling. He defended well but tired before coming off.

Axel Disasi - 6

The France international struggled with the physicality of Milutin Osmajic initially, but grew into the match.

Levi Colwill - 6

The 20-year-old captained Chelsea for the second time but struggled with Preston's long-ball game before steadying himself in the second half.

Malo Gusto - 6

The 21-year-old did a job out of position on the left, though wasn't his usual effective self on that side. Still, he set up the crucial first goal.

Moises Caicedo - 5

Preston's midfield out-battled the £115million midfielder.

Enzo Fernandez - 7

The Argentine created the first two big chances of the match for Palmer and Sterling before adding gloss onto the scoreline by tapping in a fourth.

Raheem Sterling - 7

The England international missed a host of chances in a poor first half but scored a stunning free-kick in the second half while also helping to set up Fernandez's late strike.

Cole Palmer - 7

The forward was fresh after a sensational display against Luton but blew hot and cold against Championship opposition. Still, he got an assist and produced some magical moments.

Mykhailo Mudryk - 4

Mudryk made almost no impact on the game, losing his duels down his left-hand side and being taken off in the 61st minute.

Armando Broja - 7

The striker initially struggled to impose but scored a much-needed towering header for himself and Chelsea. He then hit the bar with a similar effort and rounded Freddie Woodman just after being sparked into life.

Substitutes

Thiago Silva - 8

The 39-year-old scored an important second goal with his first touch to head in Cole Palmer's corner.

Noni Madueke - 7

The winger immediately impacted the game by winning the corner for Silva's goal and threatened to add to his two goals in his last two games.

Conor Gallagher - 7

The 23-year-old midfielder brought his guaranteed fight and energy to the team, which initially struggled as he had a rare rest.

Deivid Washington - 7

The 18-year-old Brazilian headed a good effort on goal, reacting impressively to a speculative Madueke shot.

Michael Golding - 7

The 17-year-old started a move with a beautiful flick and almost got on the end of a rebound but couldn't quite score on his debut.

Unused subs: Bergstrom, Bettinelli, Maatsen, Williams