Chelsea Vs Huddersfield 02/16/2008

Chelsea 3-1 Huddersfield

Frank Lampard scored twice and set up a goal for Salomon Kalou as Chelsea eased into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

First half Highlights




Scott Sinclair had a shot cleared off the line before Lampard's low drive put Chelsea ahead on 18 minutes.

Second half Highlights




Huddersfield hit back and Nathan Clarke had a header cleared off the line, before Michael Collins stroked home from 12 yards to equalise.

Saturday's Highlights





But after the break Lampard tucked in a rebound from his own shot and Kalou slipped in a low effort to make it 3-1.

Chelsea had made wholesale changes, with only Lampard remaining from the team that played Liverpool last time out.

It could have made the home side a bit disjointed, but their task of finding some rhythm was helped by Huddersfield's inability to settle early on.

The League One side were understandably hesitant in the early stages, as a physically imposing Chelsea side - which included fit-again captain John Terry for the first time since 16 December - began to dictate the play.

Chelsea turned up the pressure and Sinclair had an effort cleared off the line by Robbie Williams.

And then Sinclair played a pass inside for Lampard to stroke home a precise low shot into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box for his 100th Chelsea goal.

A predictable pattern ensued as Huddersfield struggled to resist Chelsea's attacks.

But then, as if they sensed they really had nothing to lose, Huddersfield began to come out of their shell.

And it took Terry to prevent an equaliser when he hacked Clarke's header off the line.

However, there was nothing Chelsea could do to prevent the equaliser on 45 minutes when Collins superbly brought down James Berrett's pass and slipped a low shot beyond Carlo Cudicini.

After the break, Chelsea quickly raised the tempo but Huddersfield kept their shape and discipline and were able to hold their own for a while.

But eventually Chelsea's power told as Matthew Glennon failed to hold Lampard's shot and the midfielder reacted fastest to tap in the rebound.

It seemed to knock the stuffing out of Huddersfield, and the offside flag prevented them conceding more goals as two Chelsea efforts were ruled out.

Inevitably, Chelsea did score again and it was a fine Lampard pass that created the opportunity and a smart touch and confident finish from Kalou that rounded off the move.
_______________________________________________________
Team News

Chelsea captain and centre-back John Terry is back from the foot injury he suffered in the Premier League defeat to Arsenal on 16 December.

Striker Andriy Shevchenko (back) is a doubt and Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are back for Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Huddersfield captain Jon Worthington (hamstring) is rated 50/50 to play and will have a late fitness test.

Striker Luke Beckett (back) is also a doubt and Andy Booth may replace him.

Team From

Chelsea

Cudicini, Cech, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Terry, Carvalho, Ben-Haim, Alex, A Cole, Bridge, Essien, Lampard, Sidwell, Mikel, Malouda, Wright-Phillips, Pizarro, Anelka, Drogba, Kalou, J Cole, Sinclair.

About the Match

Chelsea against Huddersfield is one of two "Big Four" against lower division ties in the fifth round.

The holders are still fighting for honours on all four fronts, while the Yorkshire League One club are looking to claim a second Premier League scalp in this current cup run.

Huddersfield are the lowest ranked club remaining in this season's FA Cup.

The League ladder

Chelsea are 56 places higher than Huddersfield in the league standings.

Head to Head Details

All competitions

Huddersfield have won only one of their last 12 league and cup matches against Chelsea; a Kenny Irons goal settled the third round Worthington Cup tie at Stamford Bridge on 13 October 1999.

FA Cup

This is the second time in three seasons the pair have been drawn together. Chelsea needed a late goal by Eidur Gudjohnsen on 7 January 2006 to secure a 2-1 home win to knock out the Terriers for the third time in a third round tie since 1967.