cardiff 4-1

Sunday Times

Didier Drogba kick-starts Chelsea to victory
Chelsea 4 Cardiff 1
Jonathan Northcroft

OF ONE Cole, too much is exposed. Of another, not enough is being seen. Nude footage of Ashley Cole was sent to the phone of a glamour model and he is unable to explain how it got there but another mystery at Chelsea is: what is happening with Joe Cole?
Since he returned from a knee injury in September, Cole’s form has been bland and rivals for the attacking slot in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield diamond — Florent Malouda and Deco — have experienced renaissances. Here, given only his 16th start of the season, Cole was deemed such a liability he was replaced at half-time.
Among Cole’s low points was the moment when he came at Peter Whittingham, performing step-overs with an overeagerness that made him resemble a comedian doing an absurd Cristiano Ronaldo pastiche. Whittingham, almost wearily, relieved Cole of the ball. It was 1-1 at half-time and without Cole, Chelsea won the second half 3-0. Cole’s travails are not only ill-timed from an England point of view but for his own sake: his contract expires in June and talks on a new deal have stalled. AC Milan are said to be interested but their rivals, Internazionale, will be sanguine if, in this form, Cole is given any game time at the San Siro on Wednesday week.
Ray Wilkins, Ancelotti’s assistant, confirmed Cole’s substitution was “a tactical thing”. He tried to put a gloss on it. “When you’ve had as long a layoff as Joe did it takes time to get into tip-top form. Joe will get there. I’m not worried and not surprised,” Wilkins said.
Yesterday was less of a struggle for Cole’s colleagues. Cardiff were competitive, feisty in the tackle, disciplined in their shape, and not afraid to commit themselves. “I wanted to come here and have a go,” said Dave Jones, their manager. His captain, Jay Bothroyd, led his line staunchly despite — like midfielder Gavin Rae — requiring an injection to play. His other striker, Michael Chopra, scored a trademark close-range goal to equalise a strike after just 116 seconds from the indomitable Didier Drogba. But overall, the cup holders were capable of a different level of performance to their challengers from the Championship and Ancelotti’s diamond was dominant. Michael Ballack scored at the start of the second period, Salomon Kalou at the end and in the middle came a goal from Daniel Sturridge, the youngster’s fourth in three FA Cup games.
Initially it seemed the tie might be decided on the basis of which team’s defensive failings would be exposed most. Chelsea’s vulnerability to the crossed ball was evident when, after 34 minutes, Chris Burke centred and Chopra stole away from Alex to glance a header past Hilario. Alex had already had to clear off the line from Rae and a free kick, delivered by what Wilkins called Whittingham’s “Premiership left foot” saw Anthony Gerrard shake off markers to threaten with a header. From the corner, Chelsea were in disarray again and Chopra almost scored.
Cardiff’s bad defending proved costlier, however. “I don’t know why we try to play offside, haven’t got a clue,” Jones moaned, making it clear his back four’s lame attempts to catch out Drogba were not his idea. The first time Cardiff were caught, Drogba ran on to Jon Obi Mikel’s pass and volleyed past David Marshall. The second occasion led to Ballack’s goal from Drogba’s pass.
Drogba was also involved when Sturridge scored, sucking in two defenders and muscling the ball back in Sturridge’s direction when his partner played a give-and-go before nutmegging Marshall. Kalou’s goal was a fine header from 12 yards.
Wilkins said John Terry would return to training early this week, having flown to Dubai to patch up his marriage. In the programme Terry thanked Chelsea fans for supporting him “after everything that had happened over the previous weeks” and apologised for being at fault for both Everton’s goals in Chelsea’s defeat. “I’m big enough to admit responsibility,” Terry wrote. He is central to Chelsea and England: Cole has drifted towards the margins.

Chelsea: Hilario 6, Ferreira 7, Alex 6, Carvalho 6, Zhirkov 6, Ballack 7, Mikel 7, Lampard, J Cole 5 (Kalou h-t, 6), Drogba 8, Sturridge 7

Cardiff: Marshall 6, McNaughton 6, Gerrard 7, Gyepes 7, Kennedy 5, Burke 6 (McCormack 78min), Rae 5 (Blake 74min), Wildig 5 (Taiwo 90min), Whittingham 5, Chopra 6, Bothroyd 6

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Telegraph:
Chelsea 4 Cardiff City 1
Gerry Cox at Stamford Bridge

If proof were needed of the gulf in circumstances between these two sides, you only had to look at the banners and the fans in the stands during this FA Cup fifth-round clash.
While the noisy Cardiff City contingent that occupied the Shed End draped a flag proclaiming "Pontycymer Bluebirds", the silent suits in the million-pound boxes adjoining Roman Abramovich's had their own emblem - "Bermuda Blues".
But the 'Haves' did not have it all their own way against the 'Have-Nots', whatever the scoreline might suggest. Although it looked ultimately like a comfortable victory for Chelsea against a club who were almost bankrupted last week, Cardiff showed no paucity of grit or effort and for the best part of an hour threatened to upset the cup-holders.
Runners-up two years ago, almost wound up a week ago, Cardiff were up against it from the start, with key players out injured or playing with pain-killing injections. And when they fell a goal behind in the second minute, it looked like humiliation might ensue. But it did not, as Cardiff equalised through Michael Chopra and were unlucky not to go in ahead at half-time, which spoke volumes about the spirit in the side.
But it would be folly to think that Dave Jones' men have nothing but determination in their locker. The played some neat football and the deliveries brought about by the sweet left foot of Peter Whittingham ensured that Chelsea's back line, missing John Terry and Ashley Cole, were unsettled more than once as they attempted to extend a seven-year unbeaten run at home in this competition.
Michael Ballack's goal soon after half-time put Chelsea back in front, but it was not until the final quarter of the game that they eventually looked comfortable, with Daniel Sturridge scoring his fourth goal in the competition this season and Saloman Kalou adding a late fourth.
"Cardiff worked their socks off and made it hard for us," said Ray Wilkins, Carlo Ancelotti's assistant. "For an hour they gave us a tough old game, but we upped the tempo after and came through. But Dave's a good guy and you could see his players were playing for him."
Jones was not too downhearted. "It was a great achievement from my lads, who were absolutely magnificent. It was hard on them because the scoreline looks like a drubbing, but for over an hour we gave a good account of ourselves.
"In the end it was that little bit of quality - well, quite a lot of quality - from Chelsea that made the difference. Hopefully we will learn from it. You certainly don't come to a place like this, play like that and be downhearted."
Yet it would have been surprising if Cardiff had accepted their fate and caved in once Drogba scored his 23rd goal of the season, running on to John Obi Mikel's through pass in the second minute and slotting the ball past goalkeeper David Marshall.
But Cardff took the game to Chelsea. Defender Anthony Gerrard had a powerful header tipped away spectacularly by Hilario, replacing Petr Cech in goal, and from the resulting corner, Chopra should have done better than to put his header over the bar from close range.
Whittingham had a long shot deflected away before Chopra equalised for Cardiff, getting a diving header at the near post to convert Chris Burke's cross from the left in the 33rd minute.
At this stage, Chelsea were stuggling to find the target, with Ballack, Frank Lampard and Sturridge all shooting wide.
But five minutes into the second half, Drogba sent Ballack clear of the offside trap and the German placed the ball calmly past Marshall.
Still Cardiff refused to lie down, although they were pegged back in their own half and relying on quick breaks with balls to Chopra and Jay Bothroyd, who was clearly less than fully fit.
Sturridge finally added a third in the 69th minute after exchanging passes with Drogba and slipping the ball between Marshall's legs from close range.
And when Kalou headed high into the far corner from Paulo Ferreira's cross five minutes from the end it was all over. Cardiff were beaten - but not down.


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Observer:

Didier Drogba's brilliance helps Chelsea cruise past Cardiff City
Chelsea 4 : Drogba 2, Ballack 51, Sturridge 69, Kalou 86
Cardiff City 1 : Chopra 34

Amy Lawrence at Stamford Bridge

Not so long ago, Didier Drogba was the cartoon villain of Stamford Bridge. For anyone not of a Chelsea persuasion, the Ivory Coast striker's penchant for ­theatrics, for a strop, made him difficult to warm to. Now, certainly in the context of some of his less wholesome team-mates, he is nothing but admirable.
On the pitch, Drogba continues to deliver performances that defenders simply cannot contain. He was imperious here; scoring one, assisting two, and causing Cardiff an incurable headache.
He gave Chelsea the perfect start. It took 113 seconds, as Drogba advanced beyond a startled Cardiff defence to latch on to John Obi Mikel's ball over the top and, without breaking stride, lashed a volley beyond David Marshall. His 23rd goal of the season equalled Wayne Rooney's total in all competitions. Some race that is turning out to be.
The Cardiff manager, Dave Jones, did not have to be a tactical genius to ­recognise a way back was always ­possible via Chelsea's weak spot – the high ball. Anthony Gerrard and Michael ­Chopra had chances with headers before the contest tilted on its axis in the 33rd minute. Chris Burke jinked inside Yuri Zhirkov and delivered an arcing cross into the heart of the penalty area. Alex was caught daydreaming, for he stopped inexplicably, allowing Chopra the freedom to glance the equaliser past Hilario.
Frankly, the Brazilian defender may as well have been in Dubai for all the ­influence he had on the goal. It was no less than Cardiff deserved for a gutsy recovery from a dispiriting start.
Chelsea were able to call upon two internationals – Alex and Zhirkov – to cover for the absences of John Terry and Ashley Cole, but the two understudies were caught for the equaliser. It is not proving to be the happiest spell for ­England players from these parts. Another on Fabio Capello's radar, Joe Cole, has a struggle of his own as he endeavours to work his way back into form and favour. He was withdrawn at half-time after an ineffective display.
On Terry's part, he took a few moments before jetting off to thank the fans for their support in his programme notes, before holding his hands up about his part in the defeat at Everton, ­writing: "On a personal note, both ­Everton goals were my fault. I'm big enough to take ­responsibility for that." Taking ­responsibility for one's actions would not appear to be his specialist subject. Those queasy tabloid photographs of him canoodling by the swimming pool are not everyone's idea of contrition, but the result ensured he got away with it.
Jones was proud of his team's performance for an hour but conceded it was too much once Chelsea found their stride. "We got undone by the quality that came through for them," he said.
Chelsea recovered their lead five minutes into the second half. Salomon Kalou made an impression with a lay-off to Drogba, who hooked a superb pass through the Cardiff defence. Michael Ballack flicked past Marshall with steady composure.
The Drogba threat set up the third. As three Cardiff players were drawn towards the Chelsea hitman, the ball ­ricocheted to Daniel Sturridge, who was on hand to poke in his fourth FA Cup goal of the season. Then Kalou gave the scoreline some gloss with a fabulous header from Paulo Ferreira's whipped cross.
Drogba went on a mazy run late on and got his legs tangled. He tumbled to the floor, but there was not the slightest hint of an appeal or complaint. He really is the man of virtue for Chelsea.

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Independent:

Cole humiliated as Drogba routs Cardiff

Chelsea 4 Cardiff City 1:Half-time substitution hits midfielder's World Cup prospects but Ivorian's power carries Chelsea into quarter-finals
By Mark Fleming at Stamford Bridge

Being substituted at half-time is always a humbling experience for any player. But when you are an established England international, and your star-studded team is struggling against opposition from the division below, then the embarrassment is all the more acute.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, showed little mercy to Joe Cole when he replaced him with Salomon Kalou here yesterday. It was a bold decision but one that was fully supported by the evidence of the first 45 minutes, as Cole was awful. Although it came as a surprise, it was not a shock. His old manager Jose Mourinho would probably have hooked him after 20 minutes. Not the kind of thing to impress England coach Fabio Capello with the World Cup less than four months away.
Cole joined Ashley Cole and John Terry in a trio of England players missing, for varying reasons. Terry was in Dubai busy saying sorry to wife Toni for his infidelities. And he left behind him a message in the match day programme that contained two further apologies, for messing up for both goals in the midweek defeat at Everton, and for failing to acknowledge the Chelsea supporters at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
Terry wrote: "Both Everton goals were my fault. I'm big enough to take responsibility for that. Also, speaking to the lads afterwards, I know no one went over to our fans so, on behalf of everyone there, I apologise."
The message from his manager was very much, "Wish you were here." With Terry missing, along with Ashley Cole who will be absent for three months with a broken ankle, the Chelsea rearguard looked confused and hesitant in the first half. Terry was poor against Everton but his return to the club this week will certainly be a welcome one for Ancelotti.
In the absence of the captain, Didier Drogba rose to take up the role of team leader, even though it was Frank Lampard who wore the armband. Chelsea went ahead in only the second minute of the game, when John Obi Mikel played in Drogba and the Ivorian finished emphatically for his 23rd goal of the season. However, Cardiff rallied with bags of character and no little skill, and thoroughly deserved their equaliser.
Their goal, in the 34th minute, was the one occasion the Championship side were able to capitalise on the frailties at the heart of the Chelsea defence. The Cardiff winger Chris Burke delivered an impeccable ball between the Chelsea centre-backs and Michael Chopra made the most of the space afforded him by scoring with a stooping header. The 5,800 visiting fans massed in to the Shed Stand made the most of the moment.
Ancelotti responded during the break by replacing Cole with Kalou, and the impact was immediate. Chelsea's assistant manager, Ray Wilkins, afterwards described the decision as "tactical". "Joe was not injured," Wilkins said. "We have a squad full of quality and the manager will change this as he sees fit. When you have had a long lay-off with injury like Joe has it can be a shock to the system and it can take time to get back to top form."
The substitution, coupled with a few strong words from Ancelotti, turned the match in the FA Cup holders' favour. Drogba caused the Cardiff defence to have a collective panic attack every time he touched the ball, and not without reason. In the second half he stamped his authority on the game. It was his superb ball that set up Chelsea's second goal, for the excellent Michael Ballack who scored with typical assurance.
Drogba also made space for Daniel Sturridge to add a third goal on 69 minutes as Chelsea began to take a grip on the game, and Kalou rounded things off with a wonderful header into the top corner from a deep cross by Paulo Ferreira.
Dave Jones, the Cardiff manager, bemoaned the injustice of the scoreline. "It looks like it was a bit of a drubbing but it was far from that," he said. "We decided to come here and have a go, and we have worked our socks off. I thought it gave us a lot of credit when he [Ancelotti] brought on his big guns."

Attendance: 40,827
Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Drogba
Match rating: 7/10

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Mail:

Chelsea 4 Cardiff 1: Tough on City as Drogba tweaks the dragon's tail
By Ian Ridley

Exit the captain, enter a leader. John Terry decamped to Dubai to patch up his personal life and Frank Lampard led out Chelsea, but it was a towering performance from Didier Drogba that directed the FA Cup holders' march towards the arch of Wembley again.
Drogba, back from the Africa Cup of Nations with a double against Arsenal last weekend, scored his 23rd goal of the season to draw level with Wayne Rooney as the leading scorers in the English game.
As well as scoring and assisting in goals, he exuded an exemplary attitude and approach as the Blues ultimately overcame the Bluebirds for a seventh consecutive home win.
Injury-hit Cardiff had their moments, notably in equalising the Ivorian's goal through Michael Chopra before half-time, but the Premier League leaders' quality prevailed in the second half with goals by Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge - maintaining his record of scoring in every round - and Salomon Kalou.
'Cardiff worked their socks off and gave us a lot of problems in the first half,' said Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins, standing in for Carlo Ancelotti, who may not have wanted to endure questions about replacing the misfiring Joe Cole at half-time.
'But we upped the tempo in the second half and in the end it was comfortable. I thought the professionalism of Didier and Michael shone through and I would add Frank to that. They took it by the throat.' He dismissed talk of Cole's poor form, a worry for England manager Fabio Capello to add to the injury to Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole.
'After such a long lay-off, it's going to be a shock to Joe's system and it takes time to reach tip-top form,' said Wilkins. 'But he's working hard and we don't see any problems.'
Cardiff manager Dave Jones, who led his side to the final two years ago, was philosophical, his priority now promotion from the Championship with the next instalment at home to West Brom on Tuesday.
'It was hard on my team,' he said. 'The scoreline looks like a drubbing but we gave a good account of ourselves. We wanted to come here and have a go rather than shut up shop.'
His side got off to the worst possible start, conceding a goal in just one minute 50 seconds. For Chelsea, it was too easy. John Obi Mikel curled a ball forward into the inside right channel when Drogba's run went unchecked, with the Cardiff defence static. He simply strode on and buried the ball past David Marshall. The dragon's tail had been tweaked.
What would be the response? Surprisingly good. While Chelsea's supporters settled down for an afternoon of exhibition football and a goal glut, Cardiff had other ideas.
Chelsea looked especially vulnerable in the air early on. With Terry in the side at Everton in midweek they had looked dodgy. Without him they looked dodgier still.
Gabor Gyepes got in a header that was kicked away. Peter Whittingham's free-kick was met by Anthony Gerrard and Henrique Hilario had to make a flying save.
Then came the equaliser, Chelsea again found wanting in the air. Chris Burke sent in a cross from the left and Chopra escaped the labouring Alex and Ricardo Carvalho to glance home a header. It all left Lampard shaking his head at half-time. Having readjusted, with Cole - for all Wilkins' words, clearly not an Ancelotti favourite - replaced by Kalou for the second half, Chelsea quickly regained the lead. Drogba fed a ball inside Mark Kennedy and Ballack ran on to fire past Marshall.
Soon, Chelsea had all but sealed the game. Sturridge played a ball in to Drogba, the ball breaking off a defender back to Sturridge, who shot low through Marshall.
Kevin McNaughton curled a shot just wide as Cardiff made one last rally but Chelsea gilded their lily when Kalou was left alone on the penalty spot for a firm header home from Paulo Ferreira's cross.

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NOTW:
ANCELOTTI GIVES JOE THE COLE SHOULDER
Chelsea 4 Cardiff 1
Neil Ashton

THEY could easily come up with a cover story, hoodwinking the hordes and claiming injury after hooking Joe Cole at half-time.
"No, no - it was purely tactical," declared Chelsea's assistant manager Ray Wilkins, code in anybody's book for carrying the can.
Little wonder the little diamond left Stamford Bridge in a huff, a face like thunder after Chelsea flooded forward and cuffed Cardiff aside.
It was 1-1 when Carlo Ancelotti traded Cole for Salomon Kalou, a clean break after a disappointing spell out on the left of Chelsea's three-pronged strike-force.
He is the player Ancelotti simply cannot fathom, a free spirit but one he cannot find a place for in his first-choice team.
Time is running out for the midfielder, unsettled under Chelsea's Italian manager and fearing for his spot in Fabio Capello's World Cup party.
Little wonder after the post-match assessment of Ancelotti's assistant, left in little doubt that his career at Chelsea really is in danger.
There is anxiety over a new contract off the field and also the fear he will be the fall-guy whenever he is selected to start.
Four years ago, he scored the goal of the tournament against Sweden at the 2006 World Cup and yet his hopes of appearing in South Africa fade with every substitution.
He has been replaced nine times since he made his comeback against QPR in the Carling Cup last September, applauding supporters as he made his way towards the tunnel.
He didn't even get the chance against Cardiff, brutally brushed to one side by Ancelotti the moment they arrived in the changing rooms at half-time.
Cole did not re-emerge and yet a new-look Chelsea did, the first name in the perspex bowl for today's quarter-final draw.
They are on the charge again, eyeing up another trip to Wembley with another convincing victory.
The draws have been kind, with Watford, Preston North End and Cardiff the functional opponents standing in the way of progress.
Chelsea have a grip on this competition, the first winners at the new Wembley Stadium when Didier Drogba's goal in extra-time clinched victory over Manchester United in 2007.
The Chelsea striker is in ominous mood, almost rhythmic as he latched on to John Obi Mikel's through ball to score in the second minute.
He laid on two more after the break for Michael Ballack and Daniel Sturridge, underlining his importance to this team with an action-packed performance.
He has bagged 23 goals already this term and his clipped effort against Cardiff gave him the full set of Premier League (17), Champions League (3), Carling Cup (2) and FA Cup (1).
There will be many more to come as the Blues chase the game's top honours, feeding off his infectious enthusiasm.
Dare it be said he is a changed man, fully focused and in the frame to succeed Ryan Giggs as the PFA Player of the Year.
The personal awards can wait a little longer, with glory instead of gratification the motivation for the Chelsea striker.
"It says everything about their professionalism, the likes of Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and I'd put Frank Lampard in there too, that they turn in these performances," added Wilkins.
"They don't mind who the opponents are, they just want to win every game they play in. That's their mindset."
There is no other way for Chelsea's players, expected to record a run of victories that will power them towards glory in three competitions.
The FA Cup has opened up for them, favourites to win the competition after the unexpected exits of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Despite being pegged back when Michael Chopra's header beat Hilario at the near post, it simply acted as a minor stumbling block.
For Cardiff's supporters, all 5,800 of them stationed in The Shed, it gave them to chance to dream.
They were at the centre of the biggest security operation in football for 15 years, closely monitored by police as they travelled in numbers to the capital.
Helicopters buzzed Fulham Broadway and yet most behaved impeccably, drowning out Chelsea's supporters with roars of approval for their gritty, Welsh dragons.
Two years ago, they were in the final themselves, beaten by Kanu's goal for Portsmouth.
This time it was about pride and a pay-day, using the cash from their run to help pay their crippling £30million debts.
Ancelotti is in credit after this, changing the game with a telling substitution that turned the tie back in Chelsea's favour.
Within six minutes of the restart, they were ahead, with Ballack reading Drogba's pass and guiding a left-foot strike beyond David Marshall.
Cardiff could not respond, despite the excellent performances of right-back Kevin McNaughton and 17-year-old Aaron Wildig.
They represent the future of the debt-ridden club, sacrificial lambs in the summer when the creditors come calling.
Both impressed and yet they were over-run, unable to contain the world-renowned names all over the field.
Drogba set up Chelsea's third for the willing legs of Sturridge, continuing his record of scoring in every round.
He deserved his strike, a left-foot effort beyond Marshall that marked an energetic performance in only his fifth start since his move from Manchester City.
There was still time for another, with Kalou rounding off the best move of the match to convert Paulo Ferreira's cross.
By then Cole was already showered and changed, on the periphery as Chelsea power their way into the season's final phase.
After seven years at the club he feels he has nothing to prove, scoring 38 times in 268 appearances for the Blues under a succession of managers.
He may be right and yet Ancelotti's darkest secret is finally out of the bag.
After 16 starts under the Italian and nine substitute appearances, he simply doesn't fancy him.