NO SEMI-FINAL FOR STOKE CITY

CHELSEA 2 STOKE CITY 0

Stoke failed to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup for the first time since 1972.The first half was very much a cat and mouse affair,with Stoke largely cancelling out the home threat for the first half  hour. The opening minutes saw some pressure from Stoke with a series of Delap throws,which Chelsea defended with three centre backs, Mikel joining Terry and Alex in the role.From one throw, partially cleared  in the 12th minute, the ball reached Whitehead.His firmly hit shot brought a last ditch clearance from Mikel on the goal line.

Stoke's other chance of note fell to Tuncay.A Delap interception reached the Turk on the left.Unfortunately his first touch was not the best,allowing Alex to block,when a shot had looked on from a dangerous position.

Chelsea scored the all important opening goal taking the lead in the 34th minute.With Stoke defending the ball reached Terry to the right of goal.He layed the ball back to Lampard,whose drive from the edge of the penalty box took sufficient deflection off Mama Sidibe to defeat Sorensen's effort to save.

The second half saw more control from the home side,with the game being put beyond Stoke's reach in the 67th minute.A succession of Chelsea corners eventually saw Terry netting with a near post header.On the previous two Wilkinson had cleared the ball from immediate danger,but on this occasion the ball went into the net off him as he attempted to chest it away.Stoke's substitutions,unlike against Man City,made little impact, Kitson replacing Mama and Lawrence on for Tuncay.

Ricardo Fuller played a full part, managing his most threatening shot in the 91st minute,which Hilario saved with his feet from close range at his left post.To be fair Stoke never gave up trying,and at two goals down, AbdyFaye had two set piece headers go over the bar.You had to wonder what Ryan Shawcross might have made of the opportunities.

So on the day, The  Mighty Potters second best maybe,but always competitive.We now have to concentrate on gaining the points we need to ensure a third season in the Premiership, starting with the rearranged Burnley game on Wednesday night.