Terrific Terry embraces The Bridge love-in

CHELSEA’S affinity with the FA Cup shows no sign of ending as they prepare for their ninth semi-final in 17 years and it’s fair to say Stamford Bridge’s love affair with John Terry – if you’ll pardon the pun – looks likely to last just as long after a trademark performance from the centre-half against Stoke City.

Terry’s off-field activities continue to see him booed by opposition fans and lambasted by critics but he scored one goal and set up another against Stoke to guarantee himself another set of headlines and strengthen his bond with Chelsea’s home crowd, who already hold him close to their hearts.

The emotional manner of Terry’s goal celebration after he thundered a 67th minute header past Thomas Sorensen from a Frank Lampard corner, tugging off his captain’s armband as he headed towards the East Stand, demonstrates just how much this competition means to a man who lifted the FA Cup aloft at Wembley last May and who intends to repeat the act in 2010.

It also seems to indicate that Chelsea have recovered quickly from the effects of the Terry scandal that at one stage looked likely to disrupt or even de-rail their season.

Whereas the former England captain has been guilty of errors and poor concentration in recent matches, an affliction that was beginning to spread to his defensive team-mates, Chelsea were rock solid against a Stoke side who always produce a highly physical test and who, as Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey found to his cost, hold nothing back in the tackle.

Terry’s long-time friend Lampard eased Chelsea’s nerves with a ferocious 35th minute shot to put Carlo Ancelotti’s side ahead and in truth they never for a second looked like being pegged back in a match that disappointed as a spectacle but still provided a satisfying conclusion for the FA Cup holders.

That was down in part to Ancelotti’s team selection, choosing not to rest key players despite a hectic schedule over the next month.

He had no doubt been reminded that Chelsea have taken the cup to their hearts, winning it four times and being runners-up once since Glenn Hoddle took over the reins at Stamford Bridge in 1993.

“The players here want to win the FA Cup,” insisted assistant manager Ray Wilkins. “We class The FA Cup as a massive competition. We were there last year and the elation in the dressing room after we won it was something very, very special. So we want to mirror that once again.”

Wilkins was also delighted with the performance of Terry, who was subjected to mocking chants from the Stoke fans throughout the match but responded in the perfect fashion.

And he called for constant barracking of the defender to be brought to a close.

“I would like to think it will end soon, I think it’s served it’s course,” he said. “But right now it’s happening and I’m obviously not too happy about it but there’s nothing I can do. But John is just getting on with it – he’s dealing with the situation in the only way he can, and that’s getting on with his football and committing himself to the cause. I think you saw once again another superb performance from him.

“He leads these players on the pitch in a fantastic fashion.”

Terry certainly marshalled his defence well because despite being without first choice goalkeeper Petr Cech the home side were able to deal with Rory Delap’s famous long throws and the inevitable barrage of long balls into the box.

There were one or two problems early on, particularly when Mikel had to clear a Dean Whitehead shot off the line after one of Delap’s torpedoes had caused havoc in the penalty area, but once Chelsea settled down they contained the Potters well and stand-in keeper Henrique Hilario was rarely threatened.

In a largely uneventful and uninspired first half it was Chelsea who took the lead, ironically when Stoke failed to clear a corner properly in front of The Shed. The ball ran loose to Terry who calmly laid a perfect pass back for Lampard to hit a ferocious shot from 20 yards – his 16th goal of yet another prolific season.

From that moment on Chelsea were always in control and Stoke’s influence on the game began to dwindle, particularly after key midfielder Glenn Whelan went off injured just before half-time. In fact Lampard could have doubled his side’s lead shortly after the break and Anelka was denied by Sorsensen before Terry eventually sealed a comfortable victory with his third goal of the campaign.

Chelsea were so much in control that manager Ancelotti opted not to use a single substitute and the final 20 minutes passed almost without incident. Of course the Italian knows Aston Villa, still smarting from their Carling Cup final defeat against Manchester United, will prove far tougher opponents in the semi-final and Chelsea’s colours are not yet on the trophy.

But for now everyone is feeling the love at Stamford Bridge.

Match rating: *** – This was a match that never caught alight. In the first half it was often ugly and uninspiring while in the second half, when Stoke struggled to create, Chelsea did just enough to win – and no more.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire) 7 – In truth he had few difficult decisions to make and although there were one or two oddities he always kept control and kept his cards in his pocket.