Chelsea forward Juan Mata has defended Daniel Sturridge after the forward won a controversial penalty against QPR in the FA Cup fourth round.

Mata netted the penalty as Chelsea went on to win the game 1-0 and book their place in the fifth round.

Sturridge went down in the box following a slight challenge from QPR defender Clint Hill. QPR boss Mark Hughes criticised the penalty decision that led to his side being knocked out of the FA Cup, but Sturridge's Spanish teammate has sympathised with the England striker.

"I think Danny went to head to it and I think the defender tried to stop him," Mata told Chelsea's official website.

"The referee made the decision.

"It was an important penalty. We were drawing 0-0 and with this goal we won finally and I am very happy with this penalty and with this win because it was a very difficult game for us."

Mata joined Chelsea from Valencia in the summer for a fee of around £23.5m.