Chelsea on course for revenge
Sunday, February 16, 2003
Article summary
Chelsea FC beat Stoke City FC 2-0 to stay on track for a second successive FA Cup final appearance.
Article body
Chelsea FC stayed on track for a second successive FA Cup final appearance on Saturday thanks to a 2-0 defeat of Stoke City FC at The Britannia Stadium.
Eyeing revenge
The Stamford Bridge club reached the quarter-finals of the English cup competition for the eighth time in 12 years, keeping alive their hopes of a revenge match with Arsenal FC after last season’s defeat at Cardiff’s Millennium stadium.
Neal close
Without the injured Marcel Desailly and Gianfranco Zola, Chelsea were made to toil in the first half, with Lewis Neal going close for the home side in the eighth minute. But Chelsea's class eventually told and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink broke the deadlock on 51 minutes, gratefully accepting a stray pass to rifle past Steve Banks from close range.
Grønkjær drive
Substitute Jesper Grønkjær, brilliantly released by Eidur Gudjohnsen, dispelled all doubts about the result by lashing in a fierce 75th-minute drive at the near post for his third goal of the season.
Kelly free-kick
Elsewhere, Leeds United AFC defeated Crystal Palace FC 2-1. Leeds captain Gary Kelly gave his side the lead on the half hour, curling in a free-kick past Palace goalkeeper Cédric Berthelin, who was still organising his defensive wall.
Kewell decider
Palace bounced back through a deflected shot from Julian Gray two minutes later. Australian international Harry Kewell then capped a fine week after scoring in the 3-1 defeat of England, by racing clear in the 71st minute to secure victory.
Fulham held
Fulham FC have a replay to look forward to following their 1-1 draw with Burnley FC at Loftus Road. Alan Moore put the visitors ahead early on but Steed Malbranque, who hit a hat-trick against Charlton Athletic FC in the previous round, levelled just before the break with a superb half-volley.
Monday draw
Arsenal, Southampton FC, Watford FC and Sheffield United FC are joined by today’s winners in Monday's quarter-final draw, alongside the victor of Sunday's late game between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and third division Rochdale FC.
