bad_meetz_evil
03-23-2006, 09:08 AM
LONDON, England -- Premier League champions Chelsea remain on course for a league and FA Cup double with a narrow 1-0 quarterfinal win over Newcastle, who had defender Robbie Elliott sent off late on.
Chelsea, 12 points clear in the league, needed only four minutes to find the net.
Damien Duff's corner from the left was met by captain John Terry, whose low drive found the net after glancing in off Nolberto Solano.
Depleted Newcastle, looking for their first silverware for more than 50 years, occasionally rattled an off-form Chelsea going forward in a physically bruising enounter, although they struggled to create any clear opportunities.
With Jean-Alain Boumsong suspended and Titus Bramble injured Newcastle were short at the back, while striker Michael Owen is still recovering from a broken foot.
They went close in the 18th minute when Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini parried a Lee Bowyer shot and Terry reached the loose ball a fraction before the advancing Alan Shearer to clear.
Three minutes later a Solano free kick from 25 meters narrowly missed Cudicini's left hand post.
Ricardo Carvalho should have increased Chelsea's lead shortly before halftime when he failed to convert a Frank Lampard free kick, although TV replays showed there had been no contact between Scott Parker and Asier del Horno, who went down to force the kick.
Newcastle have not won at Stamford Bridge for nearly 20 years but came out with more urgency in the second half as tempers began to flare.
Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Ameobi and Craig Moore of Newcastle were booked for dissent after a tackle on Joe Cole and Elliot, booked earlier, was fortunate not to be sent off for kicking the ball under the prostrate Cole.
He did get his marching orders in the 89h minute after impeding substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Cole and Damien Duff sliced down the wings for Chelsea and Solano and Kieron Dyer producing some dangerous moves for the Tynesiders but they ran out of steam in the last third.
Chelsea, who won the league and League Cup double last season, were profligate up front, Lampard, Cole, Drogba and Geremi, squandering second-half chances and Wright-Phillips missing an 85th minute sitter.
Liverpool thumped Birmingham 7-0 on Tuesday and West Ham beat Manchester City 2-1 on Monday to reach the semifinals.
Charlton play Middlesbrough on Thursday and the semifinal draw for the competition will be made on Friday.
Chelsea, 12 points clear in the league, needed only four minutes to find the net.
Damien Duff's corner from the left was met by captain John Terry, whose low drive found the net after glancing in off Nolberto Solano.
Depleted Newcastle, looking for their first silverware for more than 50 years, occasionally rattled an off-form Chelsea going forward in a physically bruising enounter, although they struggled to create any clear opportunities.
With Jean-Alain Boumsong suspended and Titus Bramble injured Newcastle were short at the back, while striker Michael Owen is still recovering from a broken foot.
They went close in the 18th minute when Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini parried a Lee Bowyer shot and Terry reached the loose ball a fraction before the advancing Alan Shearer to clear.
Three minutes later a Solano free kick from 25 meters narrowly missed Cudicini's left hand post.
Ricardo Carvalho should have increased Chelsea's lead shortly before halftime when he failed to convert a Frank Lampard free kick, although TV replays showed there had been no contact between Scott Parker and Asier del Horno, who went down to force the kick.
Newcastle have not won at Stamford Bridge for nearly 20 years but came out with more urgency in the second half as tempers began to flare.
Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Ameobi and Craig Moore of Newcastle were booked for dissent after a tackle on Joe Cole and Elliot, booked earlier, was fortunate not to be sent off for kicking the ball under the prostrate Cole.
He did get his marching orders in the 89h minute after impeding substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Cole and Damien Duff sliced down the wings for Chelsea and Solano and Kieron Dyer producing some dangerous moves for the Tynesiders but they ran out of steam in the last third.
Chelsea, who won the league and League Cup double last season, were profligate up front, Lampard, Cole, Drogba and Geremi, squandering second-half chances and Wright-Phillips missing an 85th minute sitter.
Liverpool thumped Birmingham 7-0 on Tuesday and West Ham beat Manchester City 2-1 on Monday to reach the semifinals.
Charlton play Middlesbrough on Thursday and the semifinal draw for the competition will be made on Friday.