Chelsea upset Stoke, Fulham draw

A superb free kick from Oscar gave Chelsea a 1-0 win over Stoke in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday while Fulham needed an equaliser 15 minutes from time to draw 1-1 with third-tier strugglers Sheffield United, who were down to 10 men.

The Brazil midfielder scored in the 27th minute at Stamford Bridge with a curling 20-meter shot that ended in the top corner as Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic dived in vain.

Dangerous on the break and dominant in midfield, Chelsea almost doubled their lead soon after when Oscar hit the post. Andre Schurrle also hit the woodwork after the interval with a shot from a tight angle as Chelsea kept creating the better chances.

Samuel Eto'o missed the target from close range after Ramires failed to convert Eden Hazard's precise cross, but the home side had done just enough by the final whistle.

Hugo Rodallega scored Fulham's equaliser with a low shot that spared his side more misery this season. The London club is just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League standings.

Chris Porter put the hosts ahead in the 31st minute as he diverted a shot past David Stockdale. But the League One club had Michael Doyle sent off for a kick at Muamer Tankovic early in the second half and could not hold on to its lead.

Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough praised his players for their grit after the 1-1 draw but said the referee's decision to send off his player was a bit harsh.

"There was some sort of contact, whether it was enough to warrant a red card I'm not sure," he said.

Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen, whose priority is to keep his team in the Premier League next season, made 11 changes for the tie against a side that knocked out Aston Villa in the previous round but is facing a tough relegation battle in its division.

On a waterlogged pitch, Sheffield United looked like they could hold on even after Doyle's sending off, and even threatened to extend their lead when Ryan Flynn led a swift counterattack down the right only to see his low shot stopped by Stockdale.

Both sides were denied penalties as Rodallega and Flynn appeared to be fouled in the area.

Meulensteen admitted his side lacked the quality to prevail but was happy with his youngsters' performance.

"They gave it their all and got their noses in front," Meulensteen said. "If there's any positives to take from the game there's two things. Obviously we're still in it, that's one, but the young boys we brought in did excellent.

City draw Blues, Gunners get Reds

The top four teams in the Premier League will face one another after Manchester City were paired on Sunday with Chelsea and Arsenal were drawn to play Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round.

Holders Wigan Athletic, who scored a major upset when they were relegated and beat Manchester City in last year's final, will travel to Cardiff City, who were promoted to the Premier League at the end of last season.

Everton, whose manager Roberto Martinez left Wigan after taking them to FA Cup glory against City, will face his old club Swansea City in one of four all-Premier League ties.

The other match between top-flight sides pits Capital One Cup finalists Sunderland against Southampton at the Stadium of Light.

Sheffield Wednesday will meet Charlton Athletic in an all-Championship tie and Premier League Hull City travel to Brighton of the Championship.

The winners of the replay between Sheffield United and Fulham will face Nottingham Forest or Preston North End who are also involved in a fourth-round replay.

The standout games are those between City and Chelsea - who met in the semifinal at Wembley last season when City won 2-1 - and Arsenal and Liverpool.

Chelsea, who have won the Cup four times in the last seven seasons, and City, who lifted the trophy in 2011, have met once since the semifinal with Chelsea winning 2-1 in the league at Stamford Bridge in October.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said he was looking forward to the tie.

"If you want to be the best you have to play the best," he told ITV.

League leaders Arsenal, chasing their first silverware since winning the FA Cup in 2005, are unbeaten against Liverpool in their last four meetings and notched up a 2-0 home win over the Merseyside club in November.

The matches will be played on the weekend of February 15/16.

DRAW

Manchester City v Chelsea 
Sheffield United or Fulham v Nottingham Forest or Preston North End 
Arsenal v Liverpool 
Brighton & Hove Albion v Hull City 
Cardiff City v Wigan Athletic 
Sheffield Wednesday v Charlton Athletic 
Sunderland v Southampton 
Everton v Swansea City

Mourinho gets bittersweet birthday present

Jose Mourinho got something of a bittersweet birthday present when his Chelsea side beat Stoke City 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round at Stamford Bridge on Sunday - and were then drawn to play at Manchester City.

Chelsea, who have won the FA Cup four times in the last seven seasons, were made to sweat on their place in the last 16 and should have won by a bigger margin after spurning a host of chances. Oscar and Andre Schurrle both hit the post.

But shortly after completing a deserved win, Mourinho's side were handed the task of beating Quadruple-chasing City, who have scored 110 goals this season and won all 11 home league matches.

Asked for his reaction to the draw, Mourinho, who was celebrating his 51st birthday, told ITV Sport: "No problem. If you want to be the best then you have to play the best, so it's good for us.

"One team is the end product. One team needs to improve and has a long way to go."

Chelsea, who lost 3-2 at Stoke last month, were far too strong for the visitors and deservedly went ahead after 28 minutes with Oscar's stunning free kick which flew over the wall and high and wide of diving Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic.

An outstanding creative performance from Eden Hazard in the Chelsea midfield and Oscar's goal seemed to justify Mourinho's decision to allow Juan Mata to leave for Manchester United.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes, a former Chelsea striker, said there were "more positives than negatives" from his side's performance.

"Obviously it was a fantastic strike, but I didn't feel it was a free kick," he added.

"We couldn't quite create enough clear openings. It was difficult for us but I'm pleased with what we did. We stuck at it and didn't go under. I'd suggest there were more positives than negatives."

BATTLING PERFORMANCE

In the day's early match, 10-man Sheffield United put their League One relegation worries aside and gave a battling performance to draw 1-1 with Premier League strugglers Fulham at Bramall Lane.

United, who played most of the second half with 10 men after skipper Michael Doyle was sent off in the 53rd minute, went ahead after 31 minutes when Chris Porter scored. Fulham equalised through Colombian Hugo Rodallega 15 minutes from the end.

Porter reacted quicker to a cross from Harry Maguire, getting to the ball ahead of Fulham defender Philippe Senderos to touch home past goalkeeper David Stockdale.

The balance of the match tipped Fulham's way when Doyle was sent off for an off-the-ball kick at Fulham's Muamer Tankovic and after both teams had strong penalty appeals turned down, Fulham equalised.

Rodallega made room for himself on the edge of the penalty area and fired wide of goalkeeper George Long.

Fulham coach Rene Meulensteen made 11 changes from the side that lost to Arsenal in their last league match, bringing in a number of youngsters and resting his senior players for their relegation battle.

But it was United, four times winners of the trophy and conquerors of Premier League Aston Villa in the last round, who played the better football.

The lowest-ranked side left in the competition fully deserved to secure a replay at Craven Cottage on February 4. The winners will play Preston North End or Nottingham Forest who also face a replay.

Eagles are equal to Chan task

Former Nigerian manager, Paul Hamilton has said there is nothing to worry over the semifinal clash between Ghana and Nigeria at the ongoing African Nations Championship (Chan) in South Africa.

Both West African perennial foes will confront each other on Wednesday at the Free State Stadium, Manguang to decide who progress to the final of the biennial football showpiece.

Nigeria stopped Morocco 4-3 in the quarterfinals on Saturday while the Ghanaians pipped DR Congo 1-0 to set up the epic clash between familiar opponents on Wednesday.

Hamilton said the semifinal encounter will turn out to be the most unpredictable game of the entire matches played at the championship.

“The Ghana, Nigeria semifinal tie will be the most exciting game of the championship, both countries are perennial rivals and West African football giants.

“Both sides play good football, it’s an encounter that’ll be too difficult to predict its outcome. We’ll just keep our fingers crossed hoping for the very best for the Nigerian side. Everybody must expect a. tough contest between both sides.

“But I know the Nigerians are equal to the task and I’m confident Nigeria will win the battle on Wednesday,” said the former Nigerian star to supersport.com.

Hamilton said the Super Eagles must do everything humanly possible to avoid trailing their Ghanaian opponents, the Black Stars as they did against the Atlas Lions of Morocco.

“We must not for any reason trail behind the Ghanaians as it may prove too tough to comeback as we did against the Moroccans.

“And once we go up scoring we must not stop scoring and not until the whistle sounds signifying the end of the encounter the Ghanaian side remain a dangerous side. Only goals win the match so we must continue to score goals,” said the former Super Falcons manager.

Hamilton assured the Eagles coaches will correct the lapses noted in the side’s previous matches before the game on Wednesday against Ghana.

“No side is perfect but correction of mistakes is a continuous exercise, we’ve our shortcomings same as the Ghanaian side but I’m sure the coaches will work on those mistakes before we face Ghana,” Hamilton said.

Mahachi wants PSL move

Zimbabwe’s playmaker at the CHAN 2014 tournament, Kuda Mahachi, says that he would like the chance to play in South Africa’s PSL.

Mahachi put in a Man of the Match display as Zimbabwe surprised everyone by knocking Mali out in the quarterfinals on Saturday night.

“For now I don’t know anything, but I am hoping to come and play in South Africa’s PSL. My manager is sorting all of this out and my focus now is on the field,” Mahachi said.

“I do want to come to South Africa and express myself in the PSL.”

Asked whether he sees the PSL as a stepping stone to a career in Europe, a path that has been taken by several Zimbabweans over the years like Benjani Mwaruwrau and Onismor Bhasera, Mahachi said: “If the chance comes to move to the PSL and then get a chance to go to Europe I will take it.

“But moving to the PSL is my first step,” said the Warriors’ exciting ‘number 10’.

Mahachi has already been on trial at Mamelodi Sundowns, an experience he says was very helpful.

“At Sundowns the coach (Pitso Mosimane) told me I am a good player and he may or may not sign me. I am now waiting to hear from my manager.

Benabicha disappointed with fallen Lions

Morocco head coach Hassan Benabicha has voiced disappointment in his players after seeing his side squander a three-goal advantage over Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the CAF African Nations Championship.

The Atlas Lions looked well on their way to the semi-finals of the competition after a goal by Mohssine Iajour and a brace by Mohssine Moutaouali gave the North Africans a 3-0 lead heading into the break.

But a strong second-half showing by Stephen Keshi’s men saw them brilliantly fight their way back, before winning the match in extra-time.

“I am not disappointed with the result of the match,” the coach said after the game.

“I am disappointed with my players because they were leading 3-0, only to later lose the game. This kind of opportunity rarely comes in a tournament like this.”

Benabicha added that the Super Eagles’ ability to recover from the three-goal deficit and go on to win the match showed they were a good team.

“Let me congratulate the Nigerian team for such a good showing, having obtained such a wonderful result.

“At the interval in the dressing room, I told my players that the match was far from over as there was still a lot of work to be done. This is because the Nigerian team we faced are one of the best teams in the continent.

“I made a few changes after we conceded two goals in the second half but it will now appear from the result that it was a bit too late.”

It was Morocco’s debut in the CHAN tournament after having disposed of defending champions Tunisia in the qualifying rounds of the tournament.

Zim carrying southern African hopes

Zimbabwe have emerged as dark horses for the 2014 African Nations Championship (Chan) title after making it through to the last four with a spirited win over Mali on Saturday.

The Warriors now face Libya at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Wednesday for the right to play in the final.

Against Mali in their 2-1 victory in Cape Town in the quarterfinals on Saturday, the Zimbabwean side looked an inspired unit, playing energetic, high-tempo football. They tapped into the tangible support from their large fan base in South Africa.

Just reaching the last four was an achievement and a first for the Warriors.

With the team improving in every game during the tournament, there will be a growing belief that they can go all the way.

Ian Gorowa's side based their success on a solid defensive record: in four matches at Chan, they have conceded just once -- a last minute goal in their 2-1 win over Mali.

"We obviously play as a team, we try and do our best around the defence," Gorowa said.

"If you don't concede goals, then you have got a chance of scoring. That has been our philosophy -- to try and defend very well.

"We have a player just in front of the defence, Danny Phiri, and I think he is doing a marvellous job in front of the four defenders."

Gorowa could just have easily mentioned Peter Moyo, the Highlanders central midfielder whose huge energy and work-rate are major assets or Kudakwashe Mahachi, the talented left winger who scored a marvellous goal in the quarterfinals.

Having come this far, Gorowa was now hoping to keep the dream alive and hoped the trophy would end up in southern Africa rather than in west or north, traditionally the two powerhouse regions on the continent.

"I think that's a great achievement for us -- raising the flag of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) nations. It's an opportunity which we have cherished and grabbed," Gorowa said.

"We have always battled as a region, so at least here we are in the semi-finals."

Wednesday's semifinal against Libya kicks off at 5pm in Bloemfontein, followed by the west-African derby between Ghana and Nigeria at 8.30pm.