The FA Cup has carried a strange problem for Chelsea executives this century, where those that supply the prize to Stamford Bridge are usually passed the sack inturn. From Gianluca Vialli in 2000 to Roberto Di Matteo last May, not just one of the five who have acquired it has experienced the work 12 weeks after his Wembley victory. In this sense, probably Rafa Benitez has the advantage. As he described during his outburst at Chelsea supporters after winning at Middlesbrough in the sixth round, his cab is arranged for the end of the time. On target: Demba Ba was at full stretch to score for the hosts in today's FA Cup replay On target: Demba Ba scores for Chelsea soon after the interval before celebrating in front of the house help (below) Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole (Bertrand 22 ); Mikel, Ramires, Hazard, Mata, Oscar (Moses 90), Ba (Torres 90) Subs not used: Turnbull, Terry, Benayoun, Lampard, Torres Booked: Azpilicueta, Bertran, Mata, Oscar Goal: Ba 49 Birmingham United: Delaware Gea; Smith, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley (Van Persie 61), Nani (Giggs 65 ); Hernandez, Welbeck (Small 80) Subs not used: Lindegaard, Powell, Kagawa, Vermijl Booked: Cleverley Referee: Phil Dowd Attendance: 40,704 Compared to his agitated personality at the Riverside, the director has discovered a few of his interior peace, absorbed in his intense group rotation busy from what ought to be called end-of-season Burnoutez. Having observed off his old enemy Sir Alex Ferguson and destroyed Manchester Unitedas hopes of winning the Double, he was even cracking jokes. Demba Ba obtained the sole target of an unspectacular quarter-final replay with a splendid volley early in the second half, and Petr Cech secured the guide with an exceptional save to deny Javier Hernandez. Victory keeps Chelsea on program for a 70-game season. They move on with their next check, at home to Rubin Kazan in the first leg of these Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, and their grip was tightened by them on the FA Cup. Chelsea have won the prize four times in six years since the final returned to Wembley and haven't lost a link in open play since a at Barnsley under Avram Grant in 2008. It is an opposition they care deeply about at the Bridge and Benitez, despite repeating his belief that a top-four finish could be the concern, found herself on a rare wavelength with everyone else as he selected a strong team, although one minus John Terry and Frank Lampard. Sealed with a kiss: Ba's strike was enough for Chelsea to grab the ruins against Manchester United Millwall v Wigan To be played on Saturday 13 April at 5.15pm Manchester City v Chelsea To be played on Sunday 14 April at 4pm Lampard and Terry were left to really have a kickabout on the message with their kiddies after seeing their team beat a surprisingly smooth United, who arrived with an agenda to incorporate and counter-attack but seemed unable to free themselves after going behind. With Antonio Valencia at straight back and Tom Cleverley wide on the left, Fergusonas group lacked its usual fluency but there is little to concern the Scot in the first half. Mark p Gea stuck out his left shoe to block a travel from Ba and Cech made a meal of a formidable long-range effort hit by Hernandez. Blow: Ashley Cole was replaced with just 22 minutes gone after a hamstring injury was sustained by him Having gathered a long drop-kick from De Gea, Hernandez took the opportunity and made the ball swerve late. Cech jumped too early and grabbed the ball clear together with his foot. Aside from this, the perhaps most obviously event of the first half was a personal injury to Chelsea left back Ashley Cole, who was changed by Ryan Bertrand after twanging a as he sprinted in quest for Welbeck in the minute. He will be out for at the very least fourteen days. Ba changed the dynamic right after the break by having an exquisite volley. Mata trimmed a move in to the penalty box and found a of space. Ba spun far from Ferdinand and while the ball slipped over his right shoulder achieved it at full-stretch with the instep of his right foot. The Senegal global directed it up and over De Gea, who could only view as it dropped within the article. It was Baas 18th target of the summer season, his sixth since going to Chelsea, and the method was wonderful. Also Benitez smacked his fist very slightly and resisted the urge to scribble an email. Behind the interim director, Terry was whooping with joy. Mind boy: Javier Hernandez was rejected with a exceptional save your self from Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech Handy: Rio Ferdinand, who had been jeered throughout by the Chelsea fans, shakes Ashley Cole's hand Why the long experience? United's bench, including Sir Alex Ferguson, look on glumly The game was lit by the goal. United sought more experience and abandoned their caution, releasing full backs and quickening their tempo. Fights flew in and Ferguson put on Robin van Persie and Ryan Giggs nevertheless the consequence was to start more places for Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar. Phil Jones was shuffled from holding midfield to right back and Michael Carrick was left to shoulder the obligation of defending his middle halves but more possession was enjoyed by Chelseaas creative forces in dangerous areas. His acceleration was burst on to a loose pass by Carrick, by hazard using him free from the red shirts, however the Belgian made his shot wide. Ramires galloped on to a different pass after Mata had seized on a lost header by Jones but missed the prospective. A good chance was spurned by miss: Robin van Persie to equalise for the away side in the ultimate minutes Mata peppered the goal, Oscar required a save yourself from De Gea and then fired wide after having a neat exchange of moves with Hazard. There clearly was one moment, in the second, when United thought they certainly were level. Welbeck delivered a cross from the proper with such pace it appeared Hernandez only had to connect to report. The Mexican drifted strong, far from his marker, and did actually have done enough but Cech responded by nausea his left hand to deflect the ball an inch over the bar. Net gains: Cech pulled off a sensational save to deny Javier Hernandez shortly after Ba's operator It had been the nearest United would come. Van Persie had three very difficult odds in the ultimate 10 minutes a one cross from Valencia he was struggling to reach, a difficult volley from a Evra cross and a header he couldn't keep down from an Ashley Young hub in extra time. Beat leaves Ferguson with little to do besides ensure the 15-point lead at the top of the Premier League does not evaporate. He unmasked Wayne Rooney had experienced a injury on England work but is confident the striker is likely to be fit for the derby with City at Old Trafford next Monday. Meanwhile, Benitez continues to tiptoe through the minefield of features, managing dressing-room egos and his personal goals with the things of Roman Abramovich. Prior to the game kicked off most readily useful of enemies: Rafa Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson shook hands Celebration: Chelsea are through to another FA Cup semi-final after whipping Manchester United
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