Chelsea into last four

Wednesday, 22, Mar 2006 10:28

Chelsea are into the last four of the FA Cup after beating Newcastle 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

The deciding goal came after just four minutes as John Terry shook off Peter Ramage to sidefoot Damien Duff's corner past Shay Given.

The away side rarely threatened Chelsea's lead while the Blues had plenty of opportunities to kill off the game but failed to take them.

After Chelsea's opener, the first-half descended into a drab affair as neither side showed much penetration.

However, it was Newcastle who threatened first with their best chance of the game midway through the first-half.

Lee Bowyer produced a low drive from the edge of the area which Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini parried away.

Alan Shearer, playing in ultimately his last FA Cup tie, was quickly onto it but Chelsea captain Terry got there first to clear.

Ricardo Carvalho should have increased Chelsea's lead three minutes before the break as he got away from his marker to meet Frank Lampard's inswinging free-kick from the left.

Given failed to come off his line and the Portuguese defender should have diverted the ball into the net from four yards.

However, he got too much purchase on his touch and he ended up putting it wide when he should have scored.

Didier Drobga was denied by a good double save from Given early in the second-half but as Newcastle pushed forward in search of an equaliser, they left big gaps at the back.

After a couple of good saving blocks from Newcastle defenders, they were reduced to ten men as substitute Shaun Wright-Philips was obstructed by Robbie Elliott to earn him a second yellow with two minutes remaining.