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CL
FA Cup | Fourth Round
Jan 26, 2014 at 3.30pm UK
 
SL

1-0

Oscar (27')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Chelsea 1-0 Stoke City - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Chelsea 1-0 Stoke City - as it happened: ID:132972: from db_amp
Relive Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage of Chelsea's 1-0 win at home to Stoke City in the FA Cup fourth round.

Chelsea made it through to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday as they saw off Stoke City 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

The only goal of the game came on 26 minutes when Oscar fired a superb free kick past Asmir Begovic.

The hosts could have extended their lead later on, but Oscar and Andre Schurrle both hit the woodwork.

Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded in West London.

Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's FA Cup fourth-round tie as Chelsea welcome fellow Premier League side Stoke City to Stamford Bridge. Team news should be through shortly...
There's currently one other FA Cup tie being played today and it looks like we could have our first upset of the weekend on the cards. Sheffield United are leading Fulham 1-0 with around 20 minutes left at Bramall Lane. We'll bring you that result as soon as the full-time whistle goes.
CHELSEA: Schwarzer; Ivanovic, David Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Matic, Lampard; Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard; Eto'o
CHELSEA SUBS: Cech, Azpilicueta, Terry, Mikel, Ramires, Willian and Ba
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has made five changes to his starting XI following last weekend's comfortable 3-1 win over Manchester United in the Premier League. Mark Schwarzer is selected in goal, while Ashley Cole, Nemanja Matic, Frank Lampard and Andre Schurrle are all given the nod. Lampard captains the side today in the absence of John Terry.

STOKE: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Walters, Nzonzi, Ireland, Palacios, Arnautovic; Crouch
STOKE SUBS: Sorensen, Muniesa, Shotton, Whelan, Adam, Assaidi, Guidetti
Stoke manager Mark Hughes has made four changes to his side after their 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend. Thomas Sorensen, Stephen Ireland, Wilson Palacios and Marko Arnautovic are all chosen to start. Meanwhile, recent loan sign from Manchester City John Guidetti is given a place on the bench.
UPDATE: There's not too long left at Bramall Lane where it's now 1-1 between Sheffield United and Fulham. Looks like we won't be having that big upset after all.
UPDATE: The full-time whistle has gone at Bramall Lane and it's ended 1-1 between Sheffield United and Fulham. Chris Porter gave the hosts a first-half lead before Hugo Rodallega spared Fulham's blushes by equalising with around 20 minutes left.
Right, back to business. Chelsea sealed their place in the fourth round with a routine 2-0 win at Derby County earlier this month. The Blues have a rich history in this competition, winning it a total of seven times. Only Tottenham Hotspur (8), Arsenal (10) and Manchester United (11) have lifted the famous trophy more.
Stoke don't quite have the same history as Chelsea when it comes to the FA Cup, but the Potters reached the final in 2011 before they were beaten by Manchester City. Their form in the Premier League has been indifferent this season, but a decent run in the cup could be just the tonic.
Stoke were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City at this stage of the tournament last season, while Chelsea reached the semi-finals before also suffering a defeat against City.

Of course, Chelsea begin life today without Juan Mata after the Spaniard sealed a £37m move to Manchester United. Meanwhile, Stoke are close to signing Peter Odemwingie in a swap deal that involves Kenwyne Jones going the other way.
HEAD TO HEAD: As expected, it's Chelsea who have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these teams. The Blues have 40 wins compared to Stoke's 24. There have been 19 draws in the remaining encounters.
Stoke's last win at Stamford Bridge came way back in 1995, but they will be feeling confident today after beating the Blues 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium earlier this season in the Premier League. Oussama Assaidi scored the decisive goal that day for the Potters with a fine strike late on. Can they do the same again this afternoon?

PREDICTION TIME: Just under 10 minutes to go at Stamford Bridge. How do you see today's match going? We here at Sports Mole can see Chelsea being too good for their opponents this afternoon, ultimately booking their place in round five with a 3-1 win.
REFEREE WATCH: The official for today's game is Chris Foy.
The players are just starting to filter out of the respective changing rooms, ready to step out onto the pitch. As with most other places across the country, it's quite damp and miserable in West London this afternoon. Will the conditions play into Stoke's hands?
KICKOFF! The pre-match niceties have been done and it will be Stoke to get us underway at Stamford Bridge. Here we go!
CHANCE! An early opportunity for Chelsea as Eto'o turns in the box before getting a left-footed shot away. However, the veteran forward can only drag his effort wide of the post. The Blues have started well.
CHANCE! Now it's Stoke's turn to threaten early on as Crouch gets in front of his marker to direct a header towards goal, but he sees it go narrowly wide. Schwarzer took a gamble there by flying off his line to try to punch the ball clear.
Crouch causes the Chelsea defence a bit of trouble again as he hooks an ambitious volley towards goal, though he puts it way off target in the end. It's been a fairly open start to this game, with both teams looking to attack and get the early advantage.
Stoke have given a very good account of themselves so far. They're working hard off the ball to rush Chelsea, while doing the right things when in possession. Mark Hughes is likely to be pleased with what he's seen from the visitors.
Chelsea are having to be a bit patient at the moment. They're seeing a fair bit of the ball, but they're struggling to break down the Stoke defence. Still, you get the feeling that they're beginning to feel their way into this match.
CHANCE! Close for Chelsea! Eto'o leads a counter-attack before feeding Oscar. The Brazilian then tries to play in Schurrle inside the box, but Shawcross does brilliantly to tackle the German and clear the danger.
Lampard, who is currently on 249 career goals at club level, tries his luck from around 30 yards but can only blaze his shot over the crossbar. Stoke don't want to be giving him too much space in those kind of positions because he will punish you sooner or later.
Both managers are down on the touchline looking like they're both deep in thought. It hasn't been quite the blood and thunder cup tie that many were expecting, but the two teams have shown a fair bit of attacking intent during the opening 20 minutes. Chelsea are on top at the moment though.
One or two groans from the Chelsea fans as Eto'o fails twice when trying to thread the ball through to a teammate inside the penalty area. The hosts are just lacking that clinical touch right now. Can the magic of Hazard or Oscar unlock the door?
GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 STOKE (OSCAR)
Chelsea lead and it's a wonderful free kick from Oscar to break the deadlock! The Brazilian steps up to take it after a foul on Eto'o and whips a superb strike past Begovic and into the far corner from about 25 yards. What a rocket from the little magician!
That goal has changed the whole mood inside Stamford Bridge. One or two Chelsea supporters were getting a little bit restless as their side struggled to get past the Stoke defence, but now it's all smiles inside the stadium. However, can Stoke do enough to stop the hosts extending their lead before the break?

YELLOW CARD: The first booking of the day goes to Stoke defender Geoff Cameron for clattering Hazard from behind. The Belgian went down screaming in agony, although that seemed to be something of an over-reaction.
Stoke have a crack at goal through Nzonzi, but the midfielder's tame effort from 30 yards is easily saved by Schwarzer. The visitors are currently looking a bit uninspired.
Danger for Stoke as Ivanovic almost gets his head on the end of a Lampard free kick. However, goalkeeper Begovic is there to pluck the ball out of the air. The Potters have given away a few free kicks in threatening positions today and have been punished by one of them. It's not something that they want to be doing too often.

Five minutes of normal time left to play in this first half and Chelsea are looking in control. They come close to extending their advantage when Lampard fails to get on the end of Hazard's cross. Stoke then go up the other end, but Ireland can only fire wide.
OFF THE POST! So close for Chelsea! Oscar is picked out in the box before smashing a ferocious drive against the post. Begovic was beaten all ends up there. The hosts are posing a big threat to Stoke at the minute.
CHANCE! Chelsea are really starting to turn the screw. Lampard makes a trademark run around the edge of the box, only to shoot over from 18 yards following Ivanovic's cross. Stoke just want this half to end now.
One minute of added time at the end of this first half...
YELLOW CARD: Stoke's Marc Wilson goes into the book now for bringing down Hazard with Chelsea on the break.
HALF TIME: CHELSEA 1-0 STOKE
Referee Chris Foy blows the half-time whistle and it's Chelsea who lead thanks to Oscar's superb free kick on 26 minutes. The Blues haven't been at their dazzling best, but they are good value for their lead and could have had another goals to boot. Meanwhile, Stoke have offered very little. However, they are not out of this tie just yet.
That goal from Oscar really was something. The Brazilian got tremendous whip on the ball to send it from the right side of the box to the top left-hand corner of the net. Begovic stood no chance of keeping it out.
Here's an image of Oscar celebrating that goal with his teammates...
Looking for a concise half-time report from Stamford Bridge? Look no further. Ours is right here.
UPDATE: Today's other fourth-round tie in the FA Cup saw Sheffield United hold Fulham to a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane. Chris Porter gave the League One side a first-half lead before Hugo Rodallega equalised with 20 minutes left for the Cottagers.
What can Stoke do to get themselves back into this? Well, they need to show a bit more enthusiasm in midfield because Oscar and Hazard were both starting to dominate towards the end of that half. If they can keep Chelsea at bay as the second period wares on then we could see one or two changes from Mark Hughes that would see the Potter pose more of a threat.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out and it will be Chelsea to kick us off for this second half. Here we go!
OFF THE POST! Chelsea hit the woodwork for a second time as Schurrle sees his shot on the angle rattle the post. The home side have flown out of the traps for this second half. Stoke are alooking a bit overwhelmed.
Stoke have been a bit better in the last few minutes following that scare from Schurrle. Pieters manages to whip in a cross from the left, but Walters sees his header sail over the crossbar.
CHANCE! So very close for Chelsea, this time as Oscar shoot wide. The Brazilian received the ball from Schurrle inside the box before trying to curl and effort into the far corner. However, his effort flashed narrowly wide with Begovic beaten.
It looks like a matter of time before Chelsea extend their advantage here. While the score remains narrow between the teams, the Blues are far superior at the moment. This could easily be 3-0 already but for the woodwork denying the home side twice.
Something of a half-chance for Stoke as Arnautovic curls a free kick well wide from 25 yards following a foul on Walters. It will be interesting to see if Mark Hughes fancies making a change soon. The visitors need some inspiration from somewhere.
Nearly an hour played and there's little to suggest that Chelsea won't be in the hat for the fifth-round draw. The hosts continue to push Stoke back and ask all the questions. However, Stoke are doing a good job of soaking up the pressure and breaking up the pitch when they can.
Not much has changed in the last few minutes as Chelsea keep the pressure on Stoke. Credit to the visitors are they're trying to make something happen when they're on the ball, but their passing has been below par today.
Some patient build-up play from Chelsea ends with Hazard's threaded pass going straight through to goalkeeper Begovic. The Belgian had the chance to shoot there, but he instead opted to try to feed a teammate.
Stoke are needing to defend very well at the moment because Chelsea are picking them off with ease. The Potters are starting to commit more men forward which means that they are leaving the inevitable gaps in midfield and at the back. Still no sign of any changes from Mark Hughes.
SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea are making a change though. It's Andre Schurrle who makes way as Ramires enters the action for the home side.
SUBSTITUTION: Here a change for Stoke and it's an attacking one. Wilson Palacios comes off, while Oussama Assaidi is brought on. Can the Moroccan score again for the Potters against Chelsea after scoring the winner in their Premier League encounter last month?
As we enter the final 15 minutes of this match there could be one or two nerves around Stamford Bridge. Stoke have done well to keep Chelsea at bay during this second half and have given themselves a chance of getting something out of this match.
CHANCE! Almost a second for Chelsea as Lampard's low drive from the edge of the box is well saved by Begovic. The goalkeeper had to be alert there to keep out the England international's effort.
CHANCE! Big opportunity again for the hosts! The ball ping-pongs around inside the Stoke area before Eto'o tries to poke it home, but he somehow jabs the ball wide from close range. You would have expected the veteran to find the net there.
SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea make their second swap of the evening as Willian replaces Oscar. The goalscorer gets a great reception from the home fans as he leaves the pitch.
SAVE! Chelsea win a free kick when Ramires is brought down on the edge of the area by Erik Pieters, who is booked. Luiz steps up to take it, but his thunderous drive is kept out of the top corner by Begovic. That was a great stop.
SUBSTITUTION: Changes for both teams here as Demba Ba replaces Samuel Eto'o for Chelsea. Meanwhile, Charlie Adam and Marc Muniesa are on for Stoke in place of Marko Arnautovic and Erik Pieters.
Time is swiftly running out for Stoke. Can they find a late equaliser from somewhere? They're going to have to start throwing everyone forward soon.
The fourth official indicates that there will be four minutes of injury time...
Stoke are just lumping the ball forward at every available opportunity now, but Chelsea are doing enough to keep hold of their lead.
FULL TIME: CHELSEA 1-0 STOKE CITY
The full-time whistle goes and Chelsea are through to the fifth round of the FA Cup thanks to a 1-0 win over Stoke City. It wasn't a vintage performance from the Blues but Oscar's superb free kick on 26 minutes was enough to see them through.
Anyway, that's all from me but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from tonight's match right here on Sports Mole. Alternatively, you can follow our live blog of the fifth-round draw which is just about to start. Thank you for your company, and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!

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