Football story by Boris Webb, Thu, 23 Mar 2006 16:24:00 GMT


LONDON - Chelsea skipper John Terry scored the lone goal in his team's FA Cup quarterfinal win over Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge last night. The loss meant that Alan Shearer's dream of winning a trophy at St James' Park has ended as the Magpie captain is due to retire at the end of the season.

The match began in typical fashion for the home side who went on an all out attack. In just four minutes, Terry found himself unmarked and was able to easily side-foot Damien Duff's pass past Shay Given. The one goal lead gave Jose Mourinho's men the chance to play some eye-catching football and they did not disappoint as Ricardo Carvalho came very close to scoring, but was thwarted by Given.

Didier Drogba also had a couple of clear-cut chances, but he muffed them up. Newcastle had the best chance to equalize in the first half when Kieron Dyer sent the ball toward Lee Bowyer, whose shot was blocked by Cudicini and cleared by Terry. Robbie Elliot was sent-off late in the match for a second bookable offence, but by then the tie was sealed.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho did not speak to the media after the game, but skipper Terry denied that this win was revenge for last year, "It's not about revenge for last year. The most important thing is that we're in the hat for the draw. We're pleased to bounce back after a very disappointing result at the weekend," he said.

"It was important to get a good start and we did that. It set the tone." Newcastle's caretaker manager Glenn Roeder said they were unable to create chances and this cost them the match, "We showed a lot of spirit and produced some quality passing. There was good movement and we had a fair amount of possession," he said. "I'm perhaps disappointed that in and around the area we didn't create enough clear-cut chances to test their goalkeeper."

Match Details
Referee: S Bennett (Kent).

Chelsea: Cudicini, Geremi, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Del Horno, Joe Cole (Essien 77), Makelele, Lampard, Duff (Wright-Phillips 68), Drogba, Gudjohnsen (Crespo 77).
Goals: Terry 4.

Newcastle: Given, Carr, Elliott, Ramage, Babayaro (Moore 52), Solano (Emre 70), Bowyer, Parker, Dyer, Ameobi, Shearer.

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