Birmingham v Chelsea 2-0 - Mata goal came too early - Chris Houghton | FA Cup
- 10 years ago
Chelsea started the road to recovery after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas by reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals with victory at Birmingham City.
Roberto di Matteo took control after being handed the job until the end of the season - but had to wait 45 minutes for Chelsea to move through the gears before finally finding the quality to see off their Championship opponents in this fifth-round replay.
Juan Mata enlivened a dour encounter with a scrambled finish just after the interval and Raul Meireles swiftly followed up with a spectacular second to confirm a sixth-round meeting with Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.
Mata also saw a penalty saved by Birmingham keeper Colin Doyle - as he did in the first game at Stamford Bridge - on a night when Chelsea's supporters delivered their own vociferous verdict on who they want to see replace Villas-Boas, sacked by owner Roman Abramovich on Sunday after only nine months in charge.
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The name of former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was chanted within seconds, along with support for Abramovich, but there was a chorus of abuse and disapproval at the prospect of former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez emerging as a potential contender to succeed Villas-Boas.
At the final whistle Chelsea were able to see a shaft of light at the end of a dark tunnel as an ultimately comfortable victory ensured they moved a step closer to Wembley.
Chelsea captain John Terry was fit well ahead of schedule following knee surgery to take his place on the substitutes' bench, where he was joined by Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.
Di Matteo called for Chelsea to show unity and passion at the start of yet another new era at the club and Mata almost gave the Italian the perfect start in the opening seconds when was denied by Birmingham keeper Doyle.
The giant figure of Nikola Zigic was leading Birmingham's attack and he was galvanised into action by anger when caught late by Chelsea defender David Luiz, susta
Roberto di Matteo took control after being handed the job until the end of the season - but had to wait 45 minutes for Chelsea to move through the gears before finally finding the quality to see off their Championship opponents in this fifth-round replay.
Juan Mata enlivened a dour encounter with a scrambled finish just after the interval and Raul Meireles swiftly followed up with a spectacular second to confirm a sixth-round meeting with Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.
Mata also saw a penalty saved by Birmingham keeper Colin Doyle - as he did in the first game at Stamford Bridge - on a night when Chelsea's supporters delivered their own vociferous verdict on who they want to see replace Villas-Boas, sacked by owner Roman Abramovich on Sunday after only nine months in charge.
Use accessible player and disable flyout menus
The name of former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was chanted within seconds, along with support for Abramovich, but there was a chorus of abuse and disapproval at the prospect of former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez emerging as a potential contender to succeed Villas-Boas.
At the final whistle Chelsea were able to see a shaft of light at the end of a dark tunnel as an ultimately comfortable victory ensured they moved a step closer to Wembley.
Chelsea captain John Terry was fit well ahead of schedule following knee surgery to take his place on the substitutes' bench, where he was joined by Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.
Di Matteo called for Chelsea to show unity and passion at the start of yet another new era at the club and Mata almost gave the Italian the perfect start in the opening seconds when was denied by Birmingham keeper Doyle.
The giant figure of Nikola Zigic was leading Birmingham's attack and he was galvanised into action by anger when caught late by Chelsea defender David Luiz, susta