FA Cup: Chelsea move closer to cup

Chelsea 3 Preston 1

Chelsea are just three wins from repeating their 1997 and 2000 FA Cup triumphs after deadly duo Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen took their joint tally for the season to 42 to overcome plucky Preston today.

The prolific pair bagged a goal apiece as the Blues came from behind to secure a 3-1 fifth-round victory over the Division One promotion chasers and clinch their place in the quarter-finals.

Preston made a confident start with several swift breaks from defence - and from one of these, McKenna prodded the ball through to North End striker Jon Macken, who was flagged narrowly offside as he swept the ball into the net.

However, the vocal visiting fans did not have to wait long for their team to go in front.

In the ninth minute, Graham Alexander curled a tame left-wing free-kick into the Blues’ penalty area and Richard Cresswell rose unchallenged to nod the ball home at the far post.

And Chelsea’s nightmare start almost got worse three minutes later as Lee Cartwright crossed from the right flank and the home defence again went AWOL.

Macken side-footed goalwards from just five yards out but home goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini made a brilliant block.

It was an exciting opening spell, with Chelsea’s Eidur Gudjohnsen firing wide from 18 yards and Preston pair Macken and Cresswell also unleashing shots from distance.

But the Icelander did pull Chelsea level in the 16th minute when good work by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink split the North End defence apart and the Dutchman calmly rolled the ball for Gudjohnsen to tap home.

And Icelander Gudjohnsen turned from scorer to provider for Hasselbaink nine minutes later as Ranieri’s side stormed into the lead as their Nationwide First Division opponents struggled to withstand a Chelsea onslaught.

The Dutch ace played a smart one-two with Gudjohnsen on the edge of the Preston penalty area and Hasselbaink raced into space behind the back four to plant the ball into the bottom corner for his 24th goal of the campaign.

Preston forward Macken sliced embarrassingly wide from a great shooting position in the 52nd minute and at the other end Zola’s spectacular strike with the outside of his foot curled over the North End bar.

Both sides continued to push forwards at every opportunity although Chelsea’s through-balls were often cut out by Moilanen’s dashes from goal and Preston’s attacks frequently floundered on the linesman’s flag.

Hasselbaink set his range with a 25-yard free-kick that rose over the crossbar and then came close to cracking his side’s third goal with a powerful set-piece strike after 67 minutes.

Moilanen dived to his left to push the Dutchman’s long-range effort away from the bottom corner.

Preston had the opportunity to force a replay from a clever set-piece with just five minutes left. The ball was laid back to McKenna, on the edge of the Blues box, but he sliced harmlessly wide.

Cudicini had to make a sensational save in the last minute from Macken’s close-range header and the Blues immediately embarked on a lightning-quick breakaway that culminated in a great third goal.

Substitute Joe Keenan played a crossfield ball to fellow replacement Mikael Forssell, who brilliantly skipped round two players and curled a delightful shot into the bottom corner.