FA Cup Fourth Round - Chelsea 1-0 Stoke City
Oscar served up a stunning free-kick winner to underline just why Jose Mourinho is prepared to entrust Chelsea's future in the Brazilian rather than Juan Mata.
The man identified by the Blues' boss as the natural no10 for his side, curled a sumptuous ball over the defensive wall and past keeper Asmir Begovic in the 28th minute, and it was is if he had taken it upon himself to justify the boss' massive vote of confidence.
It turned out to be the only goal of a forgettable FA Cup tie, though it really should not have been. The Blues missed a hatful of chances and struck woodwork twice. But they are deservedly into the fifth round again after controlling the match.
Chelsea's reward for seeing off Stoke City in the FA Cup fourth round is a last 16 tie at title rivals Man City.
Jose Mourinho insists he is happy with the FA Cup draw that has condemned Chelsea to the toughest possible tie – away to City at the Etihad.
The Blues manager says his team will relish the role of being underdogs and it will give his team the chance to measure their own progress when they meet on the weekend of February 15-16.
Read the full match report from Sunday's fourth-round win here.
