Chelsea set up an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Aston Villa after goals from Frank Lampard and John Terry completed a comfortable victory for Carlo Ancelotti's side.Lampard put the holders in control in the 35th minute when his 20-yard drive was diverted past Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen via a fortunate deflection off City defender Abdoulaye Faye.
Terry - who was reminded of his recent off-field problems throughout the game by the travelling fans - made the tie secure in the 68th minute when he too benefited from a deflection, this time off Stoke full back Andy Wilkinson, when he headed past Sorensen from Lampard's corner.
Stoke's best opportunity came in the 15th minute when John Obi Mikel cleared off the line after a Dean Whitehead volley but from that point they rarely looked capable of springing an upset.
REACTION:
Terry reacted to scoring his goal by rolling up his sleeve and showing off his captain's armband and Ray Wilkins, Chelsea assistant manager, admitted his captain had underlined his value to his side.
"We are delighted to have John within the ranks and he continues to do an exceptional job for us," said Wilkins. "He continues to be an exceptional captain for us."
And, praising the side as a whole, he added: "There's immense pride in every game they play. They're a group of winners. Every game they play, we never get beat because we don't put the effort in.
"Again today they showed a terrific will to win. We class the FA Cup as a massive competition. The elation in the dressing room after last season was magnificent. The FA Cup is high on our list."
Wilkins believes Chelsea's defensive display confirmed they are better equipped to handle the threat that will be posed in the semi-final by Villa.
"They beat us at Villa Park but that was quite a while ago and if you see the way we defended today we will be better prepared," he said.
The problems they gave us at Villa Park were from set plays. But I must commend our guys on the way they defended today against a really strong Stoke side.
"It's about concentration when you are dealing with such big guys.
"But I thought we were great today. The concentration levels were really high. We weren't able to play too much football, it was a really, really difficult game for us, but we are delighted to be in the semi-final."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis was satisfied with his team's efforts.
"You have your chances, you've got to take them when you play the top teams," he said. "We've knocked Arsenal and Man City out. To pull Chelsea out of the hat at Stamford Bridge was a difficult tie.
"The players were first-class. We missed four or five players, and lost Glenn Whelan, but gave everything and had a right go."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
For 15 minutes it appeared as though Stoke might be able to exploit Chelsea's recent uncertainties but after failing to make the most of early chances, they rarely threatened. Chelsea certainly weren't fluent but after Lampard put them ahead, they were always in control and if they had taken all their chances, it would have been a rout. Terry's goal ensured a comfortable end to the tie but in truth, the game was over long before.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Chelsea remain on course for the treble although nobody at Stamford Bridge is foolish enough to start talking up their chances of matching Manchester United's feat of 1999. The most important thing for Ancelotti's side was that they looked solid defensively although time will tell whether they have overcome their recent wobbles. Stoke will now concentrate on securing a top half finish to consolidate their standing as a Premier league club and there appears no recent why they shouldn't achieve that aim.
QUOTABLE:
"John will have to accept he'll take stick. He took stick from England supporters the other night. If John does well in the World Cup and wins it, he'll come back a hero."
- Pulis advises Terry on the best way to silence the taunts.
CHELSEA 2 (Lampard 35, Terry 68) STOKE CITY 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Chelsea (4-3-3): Hilario 5; Ivanovic 6, Terry 7, Alex 7, Ferreira 6; Lampard 9, Mikel 7, Malouda 6; Kalou 5, Drogba 8, Anelka 7.
Subs (not used): Turner, J Cole, Deco, Sturridge, Matic, Kakuta, Van Aanholt.
Stoke City (4-4-2): Sorensen 8; Wilkinson 6, Faye 7, Huth 7, Collins 6; Whitehead 6, Whelan 6 (Pugh 45, 6 ), Delap 6, Tuncay 5 (Lawrence 60, 6) ; Sidibe 6 (Kitson 60, 6), Fuller 6.
Subs (not used): Simonsen, Faye, Davies, Moult.
ATTENDANCE: 41,322
NEXT UP:
- Chelsea v West Ham (Home), Premier League 13/03, 1500 GMT
- Stoke City v Burnley (Away), Premier League 10/03, 1945 GMT
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Frank Lampard (Chelsea): The England man was the driving force behind Chelsea's victory and he carried his side's midfield almost single-handedly. Good strike for the goal and unlucky not have scored again in the second half.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Watched the game. Stoke were poor, didn't even test the prone Hilario. Chelea looked ok but without A Cole, Bos winga, Cech or Essien, Inter might take the sword to Chelsea. That should be an exciting affair!