Troubled Chelsea skipper stars in 2-0 win over Stoke City
Troubled Chelsea skipper stars in 2-0 win over Stoke City
FA Cup holders Chelsea strolled into the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Stoke yesterday, while Aston Villa staged a stunning second half fightback to join them in the last four with a 4-2 win against Reading.
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Chelsea skipper John Terry celebrates his team's 2-0 victory over Stoke City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge last night. Pic/Getty Images, AFP |
At Stamford Bridge, deposed England captain John Terry was back in the spotlight as the Chelsea skipper set up Frank Lampard's opener before scoring the second himself and then celebrating by pointing to the armband on his sleeve.
Stoke almost took the lead from one of Rory Delap's troublesome long-throws when Dean Whitehead's shot was cleared off the line by John Obi Mikel. But Lampard put Chelsea head in the 35th minute when his shot from Terry's pass deflected past Thomas Sorensen.
Terry gave Chelsea more breathing space in the 68th minute when his header from Lampard's corner deflected in off Andy Wilkinson.
Terry said he was pleased to be able to show his gratitude to Chelsea fans for their support during a traumatic month and also help get the team back on track following defeats to Inter Milan and Manchester City.
"Chelsea have been very supportive but the main thing was coming back from a disappointing performance. We wanted to show the fans how much it meant to us," Terry said.
"We had a couple of days to work on their set plays but they can play as well. On a dodgy pitch I thought we played well and bounced back from last week."
Aston Villa, beaten in the League Cup final by Manchester United last weekend, looked set for an embarrassing exit at the hands of Reading after Shane Long scored twice in the first half at the Madejski Stadium.
But three goals in 10 minutes from Ashley Young and John Carew, who ended up with a hat-trick, ensured Villa will return to Wembley in the last four.
