Soccer

Chelsea's second wind more than enough

Soccer: Chelsea’s flurry of late goals secured a comfortable FA Cup third-round victory against Portsmouth today

Sun Jan 08 2012 - 00:00

Soccer:Chelsea's flurry of late goals secured a comfortable FA Cup third-round victory against Portsmouth today. The west Londoners never looked in any real danger of coming a cropper at Stamford Bridge as they netted four times in the second period.

Chelsea only had a Fernando Torres header to show from the first-half exertions as the 2008 winners proved tough opponents. However, three minutes into the second half Juan Mata directed home a Florent Malouda cross to give Andre Villas-Boas’ side the lead.

Portsmouth poured forward in search of the equaliser, which would have come in the 53rd minute was it not for last-ditch defending from Petr Cech and John Terry.

However, that was as close as the visitors came as Chelsea’s superior class proved evident as Ramires grabbed a late brace and Frank Lampard scored deep into stoppage time.

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A brilliant performance from goalkeeper Nicky Weaver and an 88th-minute winner from Chris O'Grady helped npower League One Sheffield Wednesdaydump Championship high-fliers West Hamout of the FA Cup 1-0 at Hillsborough.

O’Grady swung the balance in the Owls’ favour with a low drive drive from the side of the box that stand-in West Ham goalkeeper Ruud Boffin should have done better with, but it was veteran stopper Weaver who was the star of the show.

The 32-year-old, once touted as an England international during his early days with Manchester City, produced a string of fine stops, including a stunning second-half penalty save from Sam Baldock, to keep his side in the game.

This was just Weaver’s third game back after missing four months with a knee injury, and his performance was the only real stand-out on an afternoon when, until O’Grady’s goal, effort had failed to produce end product.

Sunderland's renaissance under Martin O'Neill continued at London Road where they eased past npower Championship side Peterborough2-0 to make it through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Black Cats controlled the first half and almost went ahead when James McClean rattled the bar with a fierce drive in the first half, but they soon took the lead after the break through Sebastian Larsson's free-kick.

McClean, 22, got the goal he deserved just before the hour when he glanced home Larsson's cross to make it five wins from seven matches since O'Neill took charge.