stoke 2-0

The Times

Defiant John Terry puts Chelsea through to FA Cup semi-finals

Chelsea 2 Stoke City 0
Matt Hughes, Deputy Football Correspondent

Most people behave differently at home to their carefully cultivated professional personas, and John Terry is no different.
The man who claimed last week to have put the stripping of his England captaincy behind him demonstrated yesterday that he has done no such thing, defiantly raising his shirt and pointing to his armband after scoring the goal that took Chelsea into the FA Cup semi-finals.
His exit from the pitch was more dramatic than anything that took place during the game — stripped to the waist like a latter-day gladiator, aside from his black armband — hardly the actions of an individual happy with his lot.
Terry may stew on his loss of status for the rest of his life. The Chelsea captain clearly remains bitter about being demoted from a position craved since childhood, as is shown in his eagerness to assert his authority whenever possible. Chelsea are willing to indulge their captain’s sense of theatre because he remains an outstanding leader for them in every sense, although Fabio Capello is unlikely to be impressed by such deliberately dramatic shows of defiance. Terry was egged on by a supporting home crowd chanting, “There’s only one England captain”, but unfortunately for him, that person is Rio Ferdinand. It would be better for everyone if Terry moved on.
In mitigation, Terry had to contend with the most hostile abuse he has encountered since news of that affair was made public, the Stoke City fans providing a sustained sing-a-long that made Wednesday’s mixed reception at Wembley sound like the warmest of welcomes. What began as a pantomime chorus of “John Terry, are you my dad?” degenerated into increasingly vicious chants. Others would have shrugged off such mindless abuse, but Terry’s skin is not the thickest, as Ray Wilkins, the Chelsea assistant first-team coach, unwittingly acknowledged.
“He was taking a bit too much stick from the Stoke fans and wanted to demonstrate that,” Wilkins said. “The abuse has run its course, but it’s happening and John’s just getting on with the situation. He’s dealing with the situation in the only way he can: committing himself to the cause. That was another superb performance from him. He’s an exceptional captain and we’re delighted to have him on board.”
Tony Pulis, the manager of a typically physical Stoke side who began well but were well beaten by the end, was less sympathetic. “Our fans are brilliant, different class,” Pulis said. “John will have to accept he’ll take stick, but if John does well in the World Cup and wins it, he’ll come back a hero.”
Terry will have to develop a tougher hide if he is to fulfil his oft-stated ambition of going into management, although if that plan does not come off, he should have no problems finding work as a dramatist, scriptwriter or even a choreographer. In addition to a natural attraction to the limelight, the 29-year-old has the rare knack of casting a shadow over events that are occurring around him and shaping proceedings to his will, which for Chelsea yesterday was just as well.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side started sluggishly and were overrun in midfield. Were it not for a goalline clearance from John Obi Mikel, Stoke would have taken the lead through a volley by Dean Whitehead in the eighteenth minute, but the visiting team failed to capitalise on their early pressure and soon found themselves relegated to bit-part players in the latest instalment of the John Terry Story.
Jeers poured down upon him as he came within screaming distance of the visiting supporters in the 35th minute but Terry showed that he has presence of mind, on the field at least, laying off a poorly cleared corner into the direction of Frank Lampard, who beat Thomas Sorensen with a first-time drive from the edge of the penalty area.
Lampard goes about his business far more quietly than Terry these days, but is equally important to club and country, as is demonstrated by the fact that he has scored 19 goals from midfield by the start of March.
Chelsea’s progress to a ninth FA Cup semi-final in 17 years, and three in the past four, was never in doubt from that point as Stoke faded, while Terry’s role as a match-winner appeared preordained. Sorensen made good saves from Nicolas Anelka and Alex from successive corners in the 66th minute, but was unable to prevent Terry making it third time lucky a minute later, meeting Lampard’s corner at the back post before completing his celebration at the corner flag.
Such determination to assert himself suggests that Terry may not be as mentally strong as is widely assumed, and even he conceded that he wanted to make a point. “The armband means a lot, of course,” Terry said. “Chelsea have been very supportive, the players as well, but the main thing was to come back from a disappointing result last week [a 4-2 defeat at home to Manchester City].”
If Terry is willing to bare his tortured soul in such a fashion at Stamford Bridge, who knows how he would express himself on the subject in his own home? Given the starting point of this sorry saga, it is probably sensible not to speculate.

Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Hilário 6 B Ivanovic 6 Alex 5 J Terry 6 P Ferreira 6 J O Mikel 5 S Kalou 6 F Lampard 7 F Malouda 6 D Drogba 6 N Anelka 6. Not used: R Turnbull, J Cole, Deco, D Sturridge, N Matic, G Kakuta, P van Aanholt.

Stoke City (4-4-2): T Sorensen 6 A Wilkinson 5 Abdoulaye Faye 6 R Huth 6 D Collins 5 D Whitehead 6 G Whelan 5 R Delap 6 Tuncay Sanli 4 R Fuller 5 M Sidibe 6. Substitutes: D Pugh 5 (for Whelan, 45min), D Kitson 5 (for Sidibe, 62). Not used: S Simonsen, L Lawrence, Amdy Faye, A Davies, L Moult.

Referee: M Atkinson. Attendance: 41,322.

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Independent:

Terry revels in role of captain fantastic
Chelsea 2 Stoke City 0

By Sam Wallace

Some of them were quite witty, most of them were plain abusive but none of the chants that Stoke City's supporters aimed at John Terry yesterday appeared to have the desired effect of unsettling the performance of the former England captain.
The stick, if that is the right word, that has been directed at Terry from the stands in the aftermath of the Wayne Bridge saga is probably the least of his worries but there is no doubt that yesterday he was subjected to the most sustained barrage yet. Just about the only one printable was "John Terry – are you my dad?" and you can imagine that it went downhill from there.
Say what you like about Terry, but the abuse just seems to bounce off him. When he scored Chelsea's second goal, he rolled up the sleeve of his left arm, leaving just the captain's armband around his biceps which he pointed to as he ran back towards the Stoke supporters in the Shed End.
Having been cruel before then, the Stoke fans descended into outright abuse of the man who was once England captain. This kind of stick is usually par for the course but the level of the abuse gave pause for thought. Stoke are the sort of Premier League club whose fans also follow the national team and if this was their considered opinion on Terry then perhaps there is more animosity to come from England supporters.
It was Terry's first goal since he was stripped of the England captaincy and, the worse the abuse gets from the rest, the more they love him at Stamford Bridge. He left the pitch shirtless again yesterday having given it to a fan as he completed another mini lap of honour that included its fair share of chest-thumping and kiss-blowing.
Terry will lead Chelsea into their ninth FA Cup semi-final in the last 17 years against Aston Villa next month and there was no doubt that they deserved it. The FA Cup holders gave a textbook display in negating the very obvious threat of Stoke that meant Henrique Hilario in the Chelsea goal was scarcely called upon to make a save in the second half.
Frank Lampard, who scored the first Chelsea goal, was also integral to the victory against the same Stoke team that eliminated Arsenal and Manchester City. Tony Pulis was without five first-team players and when he lost Glenn Whelan to injury just before half-time it was hard to see how the typical Stoke game plan would have any effect.
Rory Delap's throw-ins were repelled by a Chelsea defence that did not look under any pressure other than two occasions in the first 15 minutes. The first was Robert Huth's header that was nodded on by Mamady Sidibe, just over the bar. Dean Whitehead's shot was kicked off the line by John Obi Mikel and from then on it was one-way traffic.
There were few regrets from Pulis who accepted his side had finally run into a team who lived up to their billing as one of the strongest in the country. "You have your chances, you've got to take them when you play the top teams," Pulis said. "We've knocked Arsenal and Manchester City out. To pull Chelsea out of the hat at Stamford Bridge was a difficult tie. The players were first-class. We gave everything."
Lampard's goal came on 35 minutes as Chelsea's pressure became too much. A corner was half-cleared by Stoke to Terry who teed up Lampard on the edge of the area. His shot went in having taken a slight deflection off Abdoulaye Faye.
For Joe Cole it was yet another afternoon of pacing the touchline waiting in vain for the nod from Carlo Ancelotti to get his opportunity. It never came. With the game effectively sealed with more than 20 minutes to play there would have been no harm in giving him a run-out. Cole could be forgiven for getting paranoid that his manager is taking his contract stand-off personally.
In the absence of Ancelotti, Ray Wilkins explained that Cole would simply have to wait. "We have a superb squad of players and Carlo has a very difficult task in picking a side," he said. "Everyone merits a place in our team, but that was the side. Joe's had a very traumatic time with his knee, and you get highs and lows. He'll play plenty of games for Chelsea, don't you worry. I've no idea [about his contract], but that will be done towards the latter stages of the season."
Terry headed the second goal – via a deflection off Andy Wilkinson – from Lampard's corner in the 67th minute and that was it. Terry paraded his armband in front of the away end but it did not persuade them to shut up. He knows there will be plenty more of that abuse before the end of the season.

Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Hilario; Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Ferreira; Mikel; Kalou, Lampard, Malouda; Drogba, Anelka. Substitutes not used: Turnbull (gk), J Cole, Deco, Sturridge, Matic, Kakuta, Van Aanholt.
Stoke City (4-4-2): Sorensen; Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Huth, Collins; Whitehead, Whelan (Pugh, 45), Delap, Tuncay (Lawrence, 61); Sidibe (Kitson, 61), Fuller. Substitutes not used: Simonsen (gk), Amdy Faye, Davies, Moult.
Referee: M Atkinson (West Yorkshire).
Booked: Chelsea Terry.
Man of the match: Lampard.
Attendance: 41,322.

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Guardian:

John Terry header secures Chelsea FA Cup semi-final spot
Chelsea 2 Lampard 35, Terry 67 Stoke City 0
Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea entered the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a purposefulness that almost suggested the defence of the trophy was their priority. The victors were probably more intent on recovering confidence after consecutive defeats in other competitions. It was, in a sense, to their advantage that Stoke City should demand the best of them.
Frank Lampard opened the scoring before the interval, but victory was not clinched until the second goal in the 67th minute. Chelsea had been insistent. Thomas Sorensen put a Nicolas Anelka header behind. That corner led to another and John Terry's header was not to be denied. Chelsea required the margin of error since their goalkeeping situation is worrisome while Henrique Hilário deputises for the injured Petr Cech.
Stoke would have been encouraged by that, but morale was also high because they were unbeaten in away games since Boxing Day. Tony Pulis's team disturbs opponents precisely because of their predictability. Opponents know what to expect of a direct approach that includes the long throw-ins from Rory Delap but do not have a method to thwart it consistently.
In the opening quarter of an hour, there were two occasions when Chelsea were in distress as the ball was hurled into the centre. The first of those incidents saw Ricardo Fuller mis-hitting a shot that Mamady Sidibe might have converted had it not been for a block by Alex. Carlo Ancelotti's side also had cause to be uneasy about Hilário.
With 14 minutes gone, there was panic at another Delap delivery and the Portuguese goalkeeper's weak punch set up Dean Whitehead for a shot that cannoned off Mikel John Obi. In the 4-2 loss to Manchester City the previous weekend, Hilário had displayed the hapless positioning of an outfield player ordered between the posts after the real goalkeeper had been sent off, yet he was retained here in preference to the remaining option, Ross Turnbull.
Even if they had not been at home, Chelsea would have had cause to try to keep the ball at the other end as much as possible. Anelka was elusive and his intelligence was particularly significant since any trial of strength with Stoke's husky back four was likely to prove futile. Chelsea were to take the lead following a corner, but height was not relevant.
Ten minutes from the interval, a half-cleared corner was laid back by Terry for Lampard to send a low shot past the goalkeeper. With that advantage, Chelsea were restored to their former selves and won with little difficulty.

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Telegraph:

Chelsea 2 Stoke City 0
By Jason Burt

The man with the buzz cut ran to the corner flag in primal celebration, pulled up his shirt sleeve and jabbed at the captain’s armband.
As he eventually wheeled away, back into his own half, his bicep was still exposed, sleeve up, the armband still in place. In case there was any doubt, he pointed to it again.
John Terry certainly reacted here. He reacted to the occasion, the need to get Chelsea back on track. He reacted to the remorseless goading of the
Stoke City supporters and although it may be a stretch to say he reacted to being stripped of the England captaincy by Fabio Capello – this was his first game since appearing for his country in midweek – he is still smarting from the loss, for sure, and the knowledge that the Italian, who wasn’t here, will never rely on him to lead again.
Terry’s face looked drawn as he stood, bare-chested, with that armband still in place and spoke about the need to “bounce back” from last weekend’s defeat to Manchester City.
“The armband means a lot to me. Chelsea have been very supportive,” he added of his own travails. “I would like to thank everyone for that.” Not everyone. Stoke’s fans got at him and got to him – no doubt about it – and assistant manager Ray Wilkins said of the taunting:
“It’s run its course. It’s a pity that it happens but John is getting on with the situation, getting on with his football and committing himself to the cause.”
Asked about Terry’s overwrought reaction, Wilkins added: “I think he was taking a little bit of stick from the Stoke supporters.”
Just a bit. But, for Chelsea, this isn’t going to go away. Not yet anyway. Not when Terry can be forced into a reaction – as he did when then fouling Ricardo Fuller, drawing a yellow card, and gesturing to the visiting fans.
He’s not exactly on edge but there is a taughtness to his game, to his features and, emphatically, despite his goal, it was his central defensive partner, Alex, who was the man-of-the-match.
Chelsea came in fear of Rory Delap’s trademark long-throw and left in praise of two trademark moves of their own.
There wasn’t just Terry’s header, powered into the net off Andy Wilkinson, following a third successive corner, with the Stoke fullback having also bundled away Nicolas Anelka’s goal-bound effort.
There was also the kind of crisp strike that Frank Lampard has made his own – running onto Terry’s lay-off to fizz a right-footed shot from the edge of the area that skimmed of the thigh of
Abdoulaye Faye to wrong-foot Thomas Sorensen. It was an 18th FA Cup goal for Lampard in Chelsea colours, one behind Peter Osgood for the club.
This was a performance from the cup holders – who have now reached a fourth FA Cup semi-final in five years and a date at Wembley against Saturday’s other quarter-final victors, Aston Villa – that bristled with a defiance.
This was a big result for Chelsea. Shorn off five – possibly six – definite first-team starters through injury and suspension, but with Joe Cole still confined to the bench by an increasingly unimpressed Carlo Ancelotti, they produced a display that had the feeling of getting back on track.
Regaining their footing; digging in for the run-in. Stoke manager Tony Pulis, as is his style, and the style of his team, took a no-nonsense approach to proceedings – and Terry’s predicament.
“John will have to accept he’s going to have to take stick,” he said. “He took stick from England supporters the other night … Ask John whether it fires him up more.” Pulis’s assessment of the match was equally blunt.
“You have your chances and you’ve got to take them,” he said. “Put everything in perspective. We knocked Arsenal out, Man City out – so to draw Chelsea away was a bit harsh.”
It was. And Stoke did have their opportunities. The first three moments of note all came from them – twice involving those Delap grenades.
On five minutes, the ball was headed on by Robert Huth and Mamady Sidibé, in front of the flapping Henrique Hilario, headed over.
On nine minutes Alex had to react sharply to block from Sidibé after Fuller’s cross-shot fell to him at the far post and on 15 minutes, Hilario punched the ball out to Dean
Whitehead whose low volley was hacked off the line by John Obi Mikel. It was looking rocky for Chelsea. Pressure wasn’t being applied, possession not dominated, chances not created.
Eventually Stoke’s storm subsided. Nicolas Anelka dragged a shot wide – and then, from a corner, Lampard struck. It changed the dynamics and the visitors lost a bit of belief.
Chelsea sensed it and Sorensen had to react quickly to push away a Didier Drogba near-post volley, before Lampard struck a knock-down over the bar and Pulis realised the game was slipping away. He quickly made a double substitution – having already lost Glenn Whelan to injury – but the momentum was with Chelsea.
After Terry scored, the game was up. Sorensen beat out Lampard’s dipping shot, before Terry’s long ball released Salomon Kalou.
Through on goal, his sidefooted shot was smothered by the goalkeeper before Terry harried Fuller into an error and Lampard, quick again, slipped a pass to Anelka who rolled it wide.
Faye headed two half-chances over for Stoke before, in the final minute, Alex jockeyed Fuller wide enough so that his eventual shot was easily blocked by Hilario. A clean sheet, as well as a victory, but a mixed emotion for Terry.


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