Chelsea ease through

Posted Sunday, January 24, 2010 by PA

Goals from Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge saw Chelsea safely through to the fifth round of the FA Cup following their 2-0 win over Preston at Deepdale.

Anelka made the breakthrough in the 36th minute but Darren Carter should have equalised for Preston only to send his shot the wrong side of the post from close range.

That proved to be the turning point with Sturridge extending Chelsea's lead in the 47th minute after John Terry's header had been blocked in what was Darren Ferguson's first home match as manager.

Chelsea controlled the game and had it not been for goalkeeper Andy Lonergan the margin could have been greater

Preston were struggling to get into the game but Callum Davidson found himself clear in the area. However his soft header ended in the goalkeeper's arms.

Then substitute Florent Malouda found the net for Chelsea in the 26th minute but instead of celebrating a goal they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area. Michael Ballack saw his effort deflected to safety but this was an difficult spell for Preston.

The home side were grateful to Lonergan five minutes later when he stood tall to parry Alex's blistering 25-yard effort following a short free-kick from Lampard.

Chelsea's pressure paid off when Anelka made the breakthrough. The France striker got away from Youl Mawene on the edge of the box and even though Lonergan made some contact he could prevent his effort going into the net.

Chelsea doubled their advantage two minutes into the second half following a corner from Malouda. Terry powered in a header that came back out but only as far as Sturridge, who whacked the rebound home.

Sturridge then had an appeal for a penalty waved away after he went down in the area following a challenge from Davidson and he went close again in the 83rd minute before substitute Joe Cole fired wide late on as Chelsea ran out two-goal winners.