The boys in blue capped Jose Mourinho’s 51st birthday with a 1-0 victory over Stoke City. The Blues progress into the 5th round of the FA Cup! A world-class free-kick from Brazilian Oscar turned out to be the winner, even though it could have been more.
@chelseafc: Team to face Stoke: Schwarzer; Ivanovic, David Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Matic, Lampard (c); Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o. #CFC
Within the first 90 seconds Samuel Eto’o almost continued we he left off. Eto’o received the ball and shot in-between the legs if Ryan Shawcross, the ball went slightly wide.
Stoke had a chance only minutes later, however David Luiz did enough to pressurize Peter Crouch into missing the target.
A fantastic intervention denied Chelsea the lead. The wonderful Hazard found Eto’o who was about to the trigger, when Shawcross intervened with a perfectly timed challenge.
Moments before the half-an-hour Mark Chelsea were ahead with a truly world-class free-kick. Oscar curled the ball into the top corner, it was a fantastic goal well worthy of the appreciation of the Stamford Bridge supporters.
Chelsea really should have been 2-0 up! Hazard fizzed a ball across the box, however Lampard wasn’t able to hit the ball into the empty net.
There were two chances in as many minutes just before the halftime whistle. Initially it was Stephen Ireland who’s shot rattled the side-netting. Oscar then had a chance but his blistering shot rattled the post. The first half ended with Chelsea leading by a goal.
Two minutes into the second half the blues were on the counter, Oscar played Schurrle who’s near post effort cannoned off the post.
There wasn’t much action after that and Stoke began to have slightly more possession. Both teams decided to introduce players with both Ramires and Assaidi coming in got both teams!
With thirteen minutes left Hazard set off on one of his adventurous runs, he cut the ball back to Ramires who’s shot was deflected and Eto’o wasn’t able to hit home. A real glorious opportunity.
Chelsea then should have had a penalty, Ramires drove into the box wand was brought down by Pieters, however the ref said no the penalty appeal.
Asmir Begovic who had a busy afternoon saved his side from conceding a second. David Luiz’s hit a fantastic shot which was destined to rattle the back of the net, it truly was a fantastic save.
Chelsea will now face Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
KTBFFH!
Posts like this make the innteret such a treasure trove