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
