Chelsea 4 Cardiff 1

SEALED WITH A KISS ... Didier Drogba

DIDIER DROGBA'S incredible form continued as he helped Chelsea dump Cardiff out of the FA Cup.

The striker netted his 11th goal in his last 12 games and chipped in with two assists for the Blues.

Drogba's 23rd goal of the season put the home side ahead before Michael Chopra levelled.

The Ivorian ace then created Michael Ballack's strike and had a hand in Chelsea's third by Daniel Sturridge.

Drogba's international team-mate Salomon Kalou headed home a late fourth to fire Chelsea through in style.

It took Drogba just two minutes to get on the scoresheet.

Cardiff centre-backs Anthony Gerrard and Gabor Gyepes were all at sea as he breezed through the backline to slot past keeper David Marshall.

But it only seemed to spur the Welsh visitors on and they were soon on top.

Gerrard - the cousin of Liverpool midfielder Steven - headed a superb Peter Whittingham free-kick over the bar.

Drogba was a constant threat though and on 25 minutes he was unlucky with an overhead kick from six yards.

However, Chopra stunned Stamford Bridge when he equalised before half-time.

Blues keeper Hilario looked shaky throughout the first half and when Chris Burke's cross came in he was caught in no-man's land as Chopra nodded home.

Drogba was the only Chelsea player at the top of his game and he had a low 25-yard free-kick saved after the break.

His brilliant throughball saw Ballack finish to put the home side back in front and they did not look back.

Alex had a header cleared before Sturridge netted with 20 minutes remaining.

It was the youngster's fourth goal in the competition and kept up his record of scoring in every round this season.

Kalou completed the rout with a looping header over Marshall.

But it was left to the magnificent Drogba to take all the glory as he was subbed to a standing ovation in the dying minutes.

Chelsea: Hilario, Paulo Ferreira, Alex, Carvalho, Zhirkov, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Joe Cole (Kalou 46), Drogba (Borini 88), Sturridge (Malouda 78). Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Bruma, Matic. Booked: Alex, Carvalho.

Goals: Drogba 2, Ballack 51, Sturridge 69, Kalou 86.

Cardiff: Marshall, McNaughton, Gerrard, Gyepes, Kennedy, Burke (McCormack 78), Rae (Blake 74), Wildig (Taiwo 90), Whittingham, Chopra, Bothroyd. Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Quinn, Feeney, Matthews. Booked: Chopra, Gerrard.

Goals: Chopra 34.

Att: 40,827

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

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