Chelsea step on gas after bumpy ride

CHELSEA’S progress into the fourth round of the FA Cup was anything but serene, no matter what the scoreline might suggest, and the rewards were most certainly mixed.

This being Stamford Bridge, few things run smoothly and, on this occasion, victory over Portsmouth had barely been savoured before the draw provided the sting — the possibility of a visit to face Queens Park Rangers, a trip John Terry for one would almost certainly prefer to avoid.

Terry is still handling the fall-out of Chelsea’s visit to Loftus Road in October, facing allegations of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, allegations that turned into formal charges Terry will answer at West London Magistrates Court days after the scheduled fourth round tie.