Current League Cup holders Chelsea went into their third-round clash with hosts Walsall looking to kick on from a rather disappointing start to the new season.
The Blues made perfect inroads after 10 minutes when Ramires put them ahead, before frontman Loic Remy doubled their lead four minutes before half time.
Walsall did their best to make a game of things when James O'Connor pulled one back four minutes later, but Chelsea proved to have too much as they added second-half goals through Kenedy and Pedro to seal a 4-1 win.
Relive all of the action with our minute-by-minute updates below.
6.45pmGood evening everyone and thanks for joining us as we bring you live coverage of Walsall's clash with Chelsea in the third round of the League Cup.
6.46pmTonight represents the first time in 23 years that these two sides have faced each other, with Chelsea looking to secure progression into the fourth round in hope of aiming to retain the title that they won last season.
6.47pmChelsea have made a rather uneasy start to the new Premier League campaign following defeats at the hands of both Crystal Palace and Everton, but they have won their last two on the bounce against Maccabi Tel Aviv and Arsenal in recent weeks.
6.49pmWalsall, on the other hand, have made a dream start to their League One campaign and are currently sitting in second place in the table with 17 points from eight games thus far. Dean Smith's charges have already made themselves familiar with this tournament too, after knocking out two Championship sides on the way to booking this third-round clash.
6.51pmWalsall have already proved that they have goals in them following their 4-3 victory over Nottingham Forest in the first round, while they also produced a memorable display to come back and edge past Brighton & Hove Albion with a 2-1 win in the second stage.
6.52pmThe Midlands club have a huge challenge up against them this evening. Not only do Chelsea sit two leagues above them, but they also have a dominant history over Walsall. As it stands, Chelsea have won nine of the previous 11 meetings between these two clubs.
6.53pmChelsea boss Jose Mourinho will be pleased with how his men have reacted in the face of their difficulties recently, and he could use tonight to give a number of young players a chance to shine in the League Cup. It is thought that both Papy Djilobodji and Baba Rahman could feature from the start at the Bescot.
6.56pmTime for some team news now, we have got Chelsea's in first....
6.56pmCHELSEA STARTING XI: Begovic; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Baba Rahman, Ramires, Mikel, Remy, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Falcao
6.57pmWALSALL STARTING XI: Etheridge; O'Connor, Downing, Chambers, Henry, Demetriou, Cook, Lalkovic, Mantom, Sawyers, Bradshaw
7.01pmWALSALL SUBSTITUTES: Taylor, Baxendale, MacGillivray, Forde, Preston, Flanagan, Kinsella
7.02pmSo Chelsea have decided to recall club legend John Terry, who is to sit alongside Gary Cahill in the centre of defence. The experienced pair will be looking to provide some guidance to new recruit Baba Rahman, who starts at left-back. In midfield, Ramires and John Obi Mikel will hold the centre, leaving Loic Remy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kenedy to support frontman Radamel Falcao.
7.06pmMourinho is evidently not taking the game lightly, given that he has included the likes of Oscar, Pedro and Hazard on the bench just in case he needs to add an extra sprinkling of quality away from home at some point tonight.
7.08pmFrom the home side, Smith has kept much to the same side that has profited him during the early stages of the new campaign. Romaine Sawyers continues for Walsall as he hopes to continue his impressive form, but there is no place in the starting XI for Tom Bradshaw despite him training ahead of tonight's clash. He has not even made it onto the bench.
7.11pmThese kind of early autumn nights are built for brilliant upsets, but looking at that Chelsea starting XI and bench it is kind of difficult to see how Walsall are going to get any change out of this clash. Let's hope they can provide some sort of resistance tonight.
7.13pmSmith has been speaking ahead of the clash about the similarity of tasks faced between himself and Mourinho: "Jose will know that better than me. We were top of the league last week and were still probably being criticised by a few for different systems and different players you chose. That is football, you are never going to please everybody. He is in the same job as me, he is a football manager. Our jobs are the same, our job descriptions are the same. My chairman and board of directors and supporters want to win as much as Chelsea's."
7.14pmMourinho has made clear that he intends to take the League Cup seriously, and his selection tonight definitely backs that up: "A cup is a cup. A trophy is a trophy. If you lose, you lose but you don't need to throw it away. So yes, we look to the competition in a proper way, and I also think it's very important to respect opponents. I don't think opponents from the Championship, League One or League Two expect the big clubs to go and play against them without the best players."
7.15pmHere is a quick Vine from the ground as both sides prepare ahead of kickoff:
WARM-UP | Both teams are out warming up ahead of tonight's match https://t.co/J7oTe4CBbk
— Walsall FC Official (@WFCOfficial) September 23, 20157.16pmIt should be interesting to get to see Kenedy in action this evening, as well as former Manchester United man Falcao. Both will be looking to show Mourinho that they have what it takes to make an impact when they club gets back into Premier League action for the winter.
7.18pmFor Walsall, Smith and company have the mammoth task of recording their first victory over the Blues since 1963 when the Saddlers rose victorious at Stamford Bridge. They slipped up slightly at the weekend against Peterborough United after Michael Bostwick struck late to cancel out an opener from Sawyers.
7.19pmDespite that draw, the Saddlers have been in hugely impressive form having recorded five wins, two draws and one loss in their opening eight games. They have been able to bag 14 goals while only conceding five thanks to three cleansheets.
7.21pmChelsea defender Terry will be seeking to put on a commanding showing in front of his manager after coming in for some criticism early on in the season. He has some work to do now in order to displace Kurt Zouma from their regular starting XI, following the defender's impressive performance against Arsenal at the weekend.
7.24pmOne player that took all the headlines from that encounter is Diego Costa, he is not featuring tonight after receiving a three-game ban yesterday for his hand in the controversial sending off of Gabriel. Chelsea might just be a little happier given that tonight's match counts as he one of his banned games, rather than having to use up another Premier League fixture.
7.30pmThis game clearly means a lot to the home supporters. Here they were earlier greeting the Chelsea team bus as it arrived:
@ExpressandStar Fans gather as the Chelsea coach arrives at Banks's Stadium a few moments ago. pic.twitter.com/TqrXna2Dvr
— Tim Thursfield (@TimThursfield) September 23, 20157.32pmIt's just under 15 minutes until kickoff and it is time for us to make a prediction. In my opinion, Chelsea have brought a squad with far too much quality to lose tonight. The Blues should see this out by a comfortable margin; I am saying 4-0 to the visitors.
1 minKICKOFF! We are underway at the Bescot as the home fans let out a real roar as the whistle blows, can Walsall pull off the unthinkable here? We will soon see...
2 minCLOSE! Chelsea look to assert their authority already as a lumped ball is moved forward into the path of Falcao. The frontman has just enough pace to reach it, only for Etheridge to rush off his line and gobble up the chance. Almost...
4 minCLOSE!Chelsea are starting to put the pressure on already and some fine team play between Loftus-Cheek feeds in Kenedy sees the later find a way past Etheridge from a tight angle. Thankfully for the hosts, O'Conner gets across to make a clearances off the line.
6 minMore great work from the Blues now sees Kenedy with some space on the edge of the area. The youngster pulls back to produce a wonderful strike that looks headed towards the back of the net, only for Morris to get across in time and make a vital block for the hosts.
10 minGOAL! WALSALL 0-1 CHELSEA (Ramires)
12 minThat did not take too long then, did it? Demetriou cannot clear the ball away as he sends his clearances straight into the path of Kenedy. The playmaker has enough time to press forward and send in a perfect ball towards Ramires at the back post, and he makes no mistake with a fine header to give Chelsea the lead.
14 minKenedy has been causing all sorts of bother down the left channel already and Walsall will need to tighten up down that flank quickly. The Blues have far too much going forward at the moment. The Saddlers cannot handle this.
16 minBaba Rahman seeks to get into the attacking action for the first time having collected from Kenedy. However, the left-back makes a right meal out of his forward pass and Chelsea loss possession needlessly int the centre of the pitch.
17 minWalsall move the ball forward but a wayward cross is dealt with expertly by Terry who rises highest inside the area to head away from danger. Kenedy shows clever intelligence too to rush back and see away any remaining danger from the loose ball.
18 minThe hosts have just managed to gather themselves in the passing few moments as Morris seeks to drive at the Chelsea goal. He pulls off a snapshot that is well blocked by a sliding Terry.
19 minCLOSE! Ramires looks to turn provider now on the counter attack as he races away to slip in Falcao. The frontman manages to lob the keeper, but is then thwarted by O'Connor who manages to get back for a second time tonight to hook the ball off the Walsall line.
21 minChelsea are looking great! The pair combine once more to this time pick out Remy, however Henry does just about enough to kill the danger and clear the ball for a throw. The visitors look increasingly threatening after every passing minute.
23 minLalkovic has been fairly quiet for the home side, but he moves forward at the first opportunity to whip a tasty ball into the Chelsea area, where Terry makes good ground to get across and stick out a foot to clear.
26 minCLOSE! Walsall almost draw level with their first major chance of the match... Lalkovic does brilliantly against to dance past Ivanovic before unleashing a wicked shot that flies just a few inches wide of Begovic's post.
28 minMantom earns a clever free kick off Terry who lays a pretty sly stamp on the creative man's toe. The Walsall player is back up soon enough to take the resulting set piece, which he fires poorly straight into the Chelsea wall.
30 minThe hosts are growing into this contest at the moment. Begovic has to show some superb command of his area to thwart a waiting Cook, who looks to get on the end of Demetriou's standout ball from the right flank. The Saddlers are getting a touch closer!
32 minThe hosts manage to thread a few neat passes together and it eventually ends up with Sawyers, who sends a long-range shot from over 20 yards out clear of Begovic's goal.
35 minALMOST! Chambers nearly gifts Chelsea some breathing space when he loses control poorly to give the ball away to a lurking Remy. Walsall are spared, however, as O'Connor steals in to clear away any danger.
36 minOFF THE LINE! Falcao is at it again, this time as he bends the ball with his left past Etheridge, only for Downing to somehow get his body in the way on the line to prevent a certain goal. Remy follows up with a strike on the rebound, but O'Connor makes another important block. So close for Chelsea...
41 minGOAL! WALSALL 0-2 CHELSEA (Loic Remy)
42 minChelsea find a much-needed second goal at the vital time just before the break. Ramires does brilliantly to slip an inch-perfect ball down past Henry to find Remy in space. The striker makes no mistake with his finish, firing beyond Etheridge with ease.
45+1 minGOAL! WALSALL 1-2 CHELSEA (James O'Connor)
45+2 minLalkovic sends in a free kick which Begovic is only able to parry, leaving O'Connor to steal in and cap off a memorable first-half performance with an adroit volley into the Chelsea net. We have a game on our hands, now!
45+2 minHALF TIME: WALSALL 1-2 CHELSEA
8.35pmThe referee brings an end to an enthralling first half of football in the Midlands. That second Chelsea goal seemed to have really put this game to bed, however O'Connor's late goal has left things all to play for in the second period.
8.38pmO'Connor was pivotal for the hosts in that first-half showing as he made two clearances off the line to deny Falcao. You just sensed that the Saddlers were growing back into the fixture, but it appeared as if Chelsea might have silenced them with a second goal. That did not really go to plan in the end.
8.40pmSmith will be asking his side to repeat that final 10 minutes of the half when they come back out after the break. They were much improved as the game wore on. Chelsea, however, have a vast array of talent on the bench and could put this game beyond the hosts at any moment.
8.44pmFalcao will be pleased with what he has contributed so far. At times he has not had the best of service, but has seen two of his chances somehow cleared off the line. Kenedy will also be delighted with what he has brought to the game. The youngster has dominated down that left channel.
8.46pmFor all of Chelsea's quality, that final 10 minutes proved that Walsall could just have a chance. They have been good on the ball in the vital areas of the pitch and have not disappointed in the final third. The real test will be whether or not they are able to keep Chelsea from scoring again in the second half.
8.48pmThe players are now back out on the pitch as we await the start of the second 45.
45 minKICKOFF! Chelsea get the ball moving again down the right flank, but Walsall shuffle across to clear the danger with a hoof upfield. Ivanovic does well to smother the ball and prevent Lalkovic from mounting an attack.
48 minLoftus-Cheek shows good strength in the Walsall box to climb highest in attempt to meet Ivanovic's long throw. However, Chambers reacts well to get across his man and head away the danger.
50 minLalkovic busts a gut to get back just in time to deny and then win a cheap free kick off Remy, who had just got in behind Henry to receive Falcao's through-ball. Great commitment from the forward man!
52 minGOAL! WALSALL 1-3 CHELSEA (Kenedy)
53 minKenedy scores his first goal for the Premier League champions as he latches onto a through-ball from Loftus-Cheek before firing beyond the Walsall stopper. Mikel showed some standout strength in the build-up to that goal to enable him to hold off his man and pick out a pass into the path of Loftus-Cheek.
57 minCahill has to show some good strength of his own down in the Chelsea corner to prevent Cook from breaking in behind him. The hosts have been good on the press tonight, but the Blues have had just too much quality going forward.
60 minHmm... Chelsea have the chance to test the keeper with a free kick in a good position just a few yards deep of the edge of the area. Falcao looks confident as he steps up, only to half kick the floor and send a terrible spliced effort straight into the path of the home defence.
62 minCook puts more pressure on Cahill, this time over in the opposite corner. The striker looks to have made a good challenge on the defender, who does not look best pleased with his sliding effort. The referee waves play on and neither player is booked.
65 minMorris has been impressive at the back for Walsall tonight and he has to cut across once more to see away the danger from Rahman, who sought to break forward on the end of Terry's long ball.
64 minSHOT! Remy does well to find some space and take control of a ball from Ramires. The striker is able to turn and get a shot off on goal, which flies wide of the mark without testing Etheridge. Chelsea are still well in control after that third goal.
66 minChelsea flood the box and the ball drops to Falcao. His touch is a little poor and the chance runs away from him. It looks as though Pedro might be coming on soon.
70 minSUBSTITUTION: Kenedy, one of the goalscorers, is replaced by Pedro as Mourinho looks to add a touch more pace into the game.
71 minPedro gets his first chance to run at the Walsall back-line when the ball is dropped down the left channel, but the wideman is eventually ruled out for offside. Nemanja Matic has just come on to replace Loftus-Cheek too. The Walsall players look around a little bemused.
73 minSUBSTITUTIONS: Walsall now decided to make a couple of changes themselves as Chambers is replaced by Flanagan, and Lalkovic is off for Forde.
76 minWalsall earn a good free kick down in the Chelsea corner and Forde delivers into the box. O'Conner is waiting for the ball on the line, but the visitors are able to clear through Ivanovic who heads away unchallenged.
78 minSHOT! The ground suddenly comes alive when Forde is given space to shoot on the edge of the area. His volley might just cause problems, only for a Chelsea man to get his leg on the effort and divert the ball away for a corner. Could we have a late fightback on our hands?
80 minCHANCE! Rahman does brilliantly down the left to beat the full-back and cross into the middle of the box for Falcao. He gets the run on his marker, only to send a terrible effort skywards with the goal gaping in front of him. He has faded drastically in the second half...
81 minChelsea fail to clear a corner with any efficiency, leaving Morris to receive the ball with space on the edge of the area. The defender opens up his body to shoot towards Begovic's goal, but his effort is dragged wide under pressure from an on-rushing Pedro.
83 minYELLOW CARD! Forde goes into the book as he brings down Falcao, who sought to break away on the counter.
85 minPedro looks to make his mark on the game by sending a delightful through-ball over the defence and into the path of Falcao. The frontman beats the offside trap, but the pass has just a bit too much on it as it runs straight through to Etheridge who gathers with ease.
86 minSUBSTITUTION: Walsall make their final change of the game as James Baxendale comes on to replace Cook. Can the home side do something to muster a tense finish? This game is quickly moving away from them.
87 minCLOSE! What a move... Sawyers finds himself with the ball on the edge of the box and he chips over a ball to reach the run of Mantom. The midfielder opens his body up first time to send a clever volley across the face of goal and just a few inches wide of Begovic's far post.
89 minCHANCE! Chelsea have the chance to finally put the game to bed as Ramires races away on the counter attack. The midfielder breaks into the box before sending a tame effort straight at the home stopper. He should have had a brace there...
90+1 minCHANCE! Rahman carves out more space down the left channel and he then picks out Pedro with a cut-back inside the area. The winger should really score, only to fire his shot straight down Etheridge's throat. We are going to have three minutes of additional time here.
90+2 minGOAL! WALSALL 1-4 CHELSEA (Pedro)
90+3 minPedro makes up for the miss as he jinks inside the area with a lovely step-over before drilling an effort past the outstretched palms of the Walsall keeper and into the far corner. Fantastic finish from the substitute!
90+4 minFULL TIME: WALSALL 1-4 CHELSEA
9.38pmSo there we have it, Chelsea move relatively unscathed into the fourth round of the League Cup. Mourinho's men were outstanding at times going forward and they just had far too much quality for the home side. Walsall put up a brave fight and managed to cause some problems at times, but you have to admit that the gulf in class proved evident in the end. That is going to be all from me tonight, thank you for joining us!
