Chelsea began the match with the task of scoring at least once in order to get the away goal advantage after scoring one goal in Italy in the first leg.

The English got their first big chance in the 42nd minute when keeper Julio Cesar came only just in time to block Nicolas Anelka, after which a defender cleared the ball.

A few minutes later, Frank Lampard came close but Argentinian defender Walter Samuel got in the midfielder’s way to avoid the opening goal.

After an entertaining final phase in the first half, the second half continued in the same manner. Internazionale did improve their attacking play as they kept their opponents further away from their goal.

And the opening goal went Inter’s way on 78 minutes. A long pass from Wesley Sneijder found Samuel Eto’o, who calmly struck a low shot past keeper Turnbull into the left corner.

Chelsea now needed to score two goals to survive, which was made practically impossible when Didier Drogba stepped on an opponent and was sent off in the 86th minute.

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Terry has been subjected to relentless boos and jokes about his well-publicised alleged liaison with former team-mate Wayne Bridge’s ex-partner by supporters of Chelsea’s opponents – not to mention England fans after he was stripped of the international captaincy in the fall-out.

“I would like to think it’s over,” Wilkins said of the abuse.

“It’s served it course. But it’s happening and John’s just getting on with the situation.

“I’m obviously not too happy about it but there’s nothing whatsoever I can do about it, unfortunately.

“I think he’s dealing with the situation in the only way he possibly can: getting on with his football and committing himself to the cause.

“He’s an exceptional captain and we’re delighted to have him on board. He leads these players on the pitch in a fantastic fashion.”

Terry had a rare moment of cheer on Sunday as he inspired Chelsea to a 2-0 win over Stoke City in the FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.

The centre-half set up the first goal for midfielder Frank Lampard in the 35th minute and headed in his England colleague’s corner in the 67th to earn Carlo Ancelotti’s side a Wembley semi-final against Aston Villa.

Terry was subjected to jeers throughout by the Stoke fans and pointed out his captain’s armband to them as he celebrated his goal.

“I think he was just taking a litle bit of stick from the Stoke supporters and he just demonstrated in that fashion,” Wilkins said.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis said Terry had to come to terms with his treatment, be it from opposing sides’ supporters or even England fans.

“John will have to accept that he’s going to take stick,” the Potters boss said.

“He took stick from England supporters the other night, but he’ll get over that. If England go to the World Cup and do brilliant and win it and John’s part of it, then he’ll be a hero.”

Meanwhile Wilkins said FA Cup holders Chelsea were determined to retain their trophy and were not taking the competition lightly, despite them gunning for a Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup treble.

The holders have qualified for the FA Cup semi-finals in nine of the last 17 seasons and are bidding for third final in four years.

“We class the FA Cup as a massive competition for us. The FA Cup is high on our list,” the former England captain said.

England midfielder Joe Cole was an unused substitute as the Blues saw off Stoke, amid speculation that he may consider a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Cole’s contract expires at the end of the season. Negotiations have made little progress and he is free to talk to other teams and sign a pre-contract agreement, possibly with one of Chelsea’s Premier League title rivals.

He has made just 11 Premier League starts this season and is still to hit top form following his return from a serious knee injury.

“We are very fortunate that we have a superb squad of players. Carlo has a very difficult task in actually picking a side becuase everybody merits a place in our team,” Wilkins said.

“Joe’s been through a traumatic time with his knee, and you get highs and lows coming back from those injuries. But there’s no doubt that Joe will play many more times for Chelsea.

“That’s between Joe and the club whether that contract is signed but that will be done towards the latter stages of the season.”

LONDON (AFP)

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It’s a slender advantage but a crucial one for Inter ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge on March 16th and also represented a milestone as it was the first victory for the Italians against an English team since 2003 and a 3-0 win over Arsenal in London.

For Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti it was an unhappy return to the stadium where he served AC Milan for eight years with such distinction, winning two Champions League titles and one scudetto.

Mourinho did not gloat over taking a slender advantage to London in three weeks time.

“Of course I am happy inside,” said the Portuguese.

“Because as a professional I want to win and as a professional I want to win more trophies than anyone else.

“There were no surprises from us tonight (Wednesday) and Chelsea didn’t have any either.

“We are evenly matched sides. Chelsea are not better than us, they have different qualities just as we do.”

Inter were off to a flying start and went ahead after just three minutes following some shoddy defending by Chelsea, as Thiago Motta played the ball into Samuel Eto’o who fed it on to Diego Milito, the Argentine cutting too easily inside the wrong-footed John Terry and shooting home at Peter Cech’s near post.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who was returning after missing last weekend’s match because of a virus, said that the early goal conceded to the Italians had knocked the stuffing out of them.

“I felt overall we were the stronger team but them getting the early goal made it more difficult for us,” said Lampard.

“But going back to Stamford Bridge at 2-1 makes it fairly even but obviously we have got to win the match itself.”

It was just the dream start Inter would have wanted but Chelsea’s reaction was awe-inspiring as the visitors took total control.

Their first chance came on 11 minutes as Nicolas Anelka shot wide of the near post before a minute later Salomon Kalou twisted and turned on the edge of the box but shot straight at Julio Cesar.

Then up stepped Didier Drogba on the quarter-hour mark to crash a free-kick from 25 yards against the cross-bar and follow that up with a fine effort that forced Cesar into a sprawling save.

Cesar then had to parry from Michael Ballack and Drogba hooked a volley wide after controlling the ball on his chest in the box and then sent another volley wide when fed by John Obi Mikel.

The half ended in controversial fashion as Samuel appeared to trip Kalou in the box referee Manuel Gonzalez waved away Chelsea appeals.

Chelsea got what their play deserved just six minutes after the restart but from some poor Inter defending.

Motta let Branislav Ivanovic run forward from right back to the edge of the Inter area without a challenge before the Serbian cut across the box and tapped the ball out to Kalou, whose nonchalant side foot from 20 yards somehow found its way through a crowd of defenders and past Cesar, who possibly should have done better.

And yet four minutes later Inter were back in front as Esteban Cambiasso’s wild shot from distance, which was going wide, struck Ivanovic in the midriff and came back to the Argentine whose second effort deceived Cech and found the far corner.

Mourinho then made the surprising move of bringing on striker Mario Balotelli for Motta while Cech suffered what was first thought to be a knee injury but was later diagnosed as a calf problem and was replaced by Henrique Hilario.

On 65 minutes great play between Drogba and Anelka teed up Lampard but Cesar parried his close range effort.

Chelsea dominated the ball but created little in the way of clear cut chances in the final stages and it is advantage Inter and Mourinho.

MILAN (AFP)

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To get there, Inter will first of all have to see off Chelsea. The Dutch playmaker is confident Inter can knock the Blues out of the Champions League and already dreams of meeting his former club Real Madrid in the final.

The Nerazzurri are set to take on Chelsea in the eight final with the first leg of an intriguing contest set to take place at the Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday.

Sneijder is wary of Chelsea’s class but he’s also convinced Jose Mourinho’s side are capable of making it all the way to the final, where he would love to meet Real- the side who offloaded him last summer.

“I left Real Madrid to win titles with Inter and I dream of a Champions League final date with Real in the Bernabeu,” Sneijder told skysports.com.

“For that to happen we have to eliminate Chelsea and remain in the competition. I am confident we can do that.

“This round will be very tough and will require a lot of effort and determination. To advance we will have to pass a difficult test.

“The key to the game will be in midfield. The team that is able to dominate possession will make the quarter-finals.”

“It is vital Inter win in the San Siro and that we make the stadium a fortress. Our fans understand this and will do all they can to help us to victory,” added the Dutch international.

“The important thing is to win and take an advantage to Stamford Bridge, forcing Chelsea to change their tactics.

“If we are able to keep a clean sheet that would be helpfully, but it is not essential as we have the attacking firepower to score goals in London.”

Sneijder is convinced Inter can match Chelsea in every area of the field and insists they have nothing to fear from Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

“The battle in midfield will be terrific because there will be people like Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Deco who are very experienced in these situations,” he said.

“We need to make sure we avoid making any mistakes and try to create as many opportunities as possible.

“I am certain that, man for man, Inter are not inferior to Chelsea and over the course of 180 minutes it is possible for us to secure a passage into the next round.”

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Ahead of this confrontation, Mourinho has paid a glowing tribute to his former pupil Frank Lampard.

“When I first arrived at Chelsea, I sat all the players down and told them they were fantastic – but they were not champions,” Mourinho said.

“I said if they wanted to be champions, then I could help them but the desire had to be in their hearts and their souls – then I looked into their eyes.

“With Frank, it was very easy to see that he wanted so much to be a champion. I am proud to have worked with such a man.

“When I am asked who are the best players I have worked with I will always answer that Frank is among the very greatest.

“Not because he has been successful, but because he is driven every day to become better. This is not a man who is satisfied, there is always hunger in him to push on, to be better than he was yesterday and to give something he has never given before.

“To me, that is a sign of a perfect professional.”

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Blues chief executive Ron Gourlay and coach Carlo Ancelotti held a 10-minute meeting with the players this week in a bid to avoid a repeat of the kind of lurid headlines that cost John Terry the England captaincy and have once again seen Ashley Cole making front-page news.

“We had a meeting this week with the players,” Ancelotti, who has been a staunch supporter of Chelsea captain Terry, said on Friday.

“It was a good meeting. Ron Gourlay was there as well. We spoke to the players and explained to them the behaviour that is required of the players in this club.

“Now they know very well what they have to do and what behaviour is expected of them when they’re in the Chelsea shirt.

“We are interested, me and the club, in protecting the image of this club. Not only the players and the manager, all the staff — the people who work in this club — have to protect that image.

“That is one of the most important things, the image of the club. We want to carry that forward. And I think the players and all the staff know very well what they have to do.

“All the players were there. Ron spoke for the club, for the owner (Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich), and the players listened.

“It was a private meeting and I don’t like to speak about what exactly was said. But, to confirm, the most important thing is that everybody has to pay attention to protect the image of the club.”

Chelsea travel to Wolves on Saturday with a one point lead at the top of the table.

But they will be without England midfielder Frank Lampard (virus) and Brazilian defender Alex (knee injury).

“We have some injuries for the next game,” said Ancelotti. “Lampard is not available as he has a virus and Alex is also out.

“Alex had an injury yesterday (Thursday) and he has a scan today on his knee. We have to wait to assess him, the Italian added.

Terry, who was given a break to spend time with his wife following revelations of an alleged affair with French lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel, the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge, is back with the squad.

“John Terry has returned and trained very well this week. He’s able to play tomorrow (Saturday) and is in good condition,” Ancelotti said.

Asked if Chelsea could win the title and deny second-placed Manchester United a fourth straight Premier League trumph, Ancelotti said: “Until the end of the season, we have 90 days. It depends on us what happens at the end of the season.

“If we do very well in these 90 days, we can have a good result at the end of the season.”

LONDON (AFP)

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Blues captain John Terry was absent for the match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after flying to Dubai to see his wife in a bid to solve his marital problems following reports of an affair with the ex-girlfriend of England teammate Wayne Bridge.

Ashley Cole was also missing through injury, but his private life has been thrust into newspaper headlines too over reports of text picture messages which were sent from his phone to a glamour model.

While those issues could be a problem for a less experienced squad, Chelsea are showing no signs that any of it will hinder their push for trophies as they bounced back from a midweek defeat at Everton.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are already top of the Premier League table, and soon resume their Champions League campaign with a two-leg clash against Inter Milan, led by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

They were far too strong for Cardiff and goals from Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and Salomon Kalou clinched a fifth round win.

“It’s not so much about their class, more their professionalism,” Wilkins said.

“Some people think a game like this will be straight forward and easy, but those players took the game by the throat and helped us pull through. I’d put Frank Lampard in there too.

“We have a wonderful squad that helps our aim to win every game. We have a wonderful challenge coming up against Inter Miilan, it is massive. We know they will be an extremeley tough couple of games.”

Drogba moved Chelsea ahead within two minutes, yet their defensive performance left much to be desired and Cardiff deservedly drew level before half-time when Alex was out of position and Michael Chopra headed home.

Eventually Cardiff ran out of steam as three second half goals left them feeling hard done by.

Ballack’s goal came after a Drogba pass cup open the back four, Sturridge’s fourth FA Cup goal of the season fell to him after a ricochet, while Kalou’s header four minutes from time after a Paulo Ferreira cross was fantastic.

“It was tougher than we thought,” admitted Wilkins. “We knew they would work their socks off but thankfully we increased the tempo in the second half. In the end it became a tad easy.

“Every now and then we do have a lapse in concentration at the back though, and people score. It is a slight concern.”

Wilkins confirmed Terry will fly home to prepare for their next game with Wolves, but also brushed off worries that midfielder Joe Cole is struggling to recapture the form that once made him an England regular.

Cole was substituted at half-time against Cardiff after an ineffective performance.

“Joe wasn’t injured, it was a tactical decision,” Wilkins said. “There is no concern over his form, it just takes time to come back after an injury like he had. Going forward we see no problems. He will get there.”

Cardiff manager Dave Jones gave credit to his players for their efforts and will now focus his attention on an attempt to win promotion to the top-flight.

“Chelsea are the best team in their division, because they are top,” Jones said. “I think my lads can take great credit that we gave it a real go for an hour.

“I have told them we will go over the game on Monday, but there are just small mistakes you get punished for at this level.

“Getting attracted just half a yard towards the ball cost us. But it was certainly a good experience for us that will help in the future.”

LONDON (AFP)

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Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed they could cope without the leadership of captain John Terry, who had been time off to fly to Dubai to solve his marital issues after reports of an affair with the ex-girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Ivory Coast international Drogba gave them the perfect start with a second minute goal and, although Michael Chopra forced an equaliser before half-time, the Blues ran out convincing winners thanks to strikes from Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and substitute Salomon Kalou.

Terry had used his programme notes to thank supporters for their backing during the storm over his personal problems, and also admitted he was at fault for both goals in the midweek 2-1 defeat at Everton.

In his absence, Frank Lampard led Chelsea out at Stamford Bridge for this fifth round encounter. Defender Ashley Cole was also out of action due to an ankle injury, which could rule him out for three months.

Chelsea took a quick lead as Nigerian midfielder Jon Obi Mikel played a long pass from his own half, and with Cardiff’s back four caught flat, Drogba stole in to send a classy finish beyond goalkeeper David Marshall.

It was Drogba’s 23rd goal of the season, taking him level with Wayne Rooney of Manchester United in the race to finish the country’s top scorer.

Dave Jones’ men, backed by over 5,800 fans, had scored in all but one of their previous 12 away encounters ahead of this trip, and refused to let the goal impact on their ambitions.

They had two fantastic opportunities to pull the scoreline level before eventually equalising.

The first chance fell to Anthony Gerrard, cousin of Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, who directed a header towards the far corner of the net, only for home goalkeeper Henrique Hilario to produce a superb one handed stop.

From the resulting corner Gabor Gyepes headed into the six yard box, but Chopra could only steer the ball over the crossbar.

Then, on 34 minutes, Chelsea defender Alex was left hopelessly out of position from Chris Burke’s cross, and Chopra effortlessly despatched a glancing header past Hilario.

Chelsea players were shaking their heads as they headed for the tunnel at half-time, and during the break midfield player Joe Cole was substituted.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first though, and Ballack moved Chelsea back into the lead on 51 minutes.

Drogba produced a defence splitting pass and the Germany midfielder raced through one-on-one with the goalkeeper before producing a cool left foot finish.

The Premier League title remains Chelsea’s top priority this season, yet the FA Cup has become a real carrot since Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal suffered early exits.

Cardiff reached the final themselves in 2008, where they were beaten by Portsmouth, but this year it just was not written in the script.

On 69 minutes, Sturridge scored his fourth FA Cup goal of the season. The former Manchester City forward had started the move, and after playing a pass into Drogba, the ball ricocheted back into his path and he made no mistake.

Kalou made sure their was no late scare, as he brilliantly headed home a right wing cross from Paulo Ferreira with four minutes remaining.

LONDON (AFP)

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Drogba struck his 20th goal of the season on 43 minutes to haul the Premier League leaders level after Hull defender Mouyokolo had headed Phil Brown’s Hull City side into a surprise lead with his first ever goal for the top flight strugglers.

But despite Drogba coming to the rescue it wasn’t enough to help Chelsea secure the win they so badly needed to restore their four point advantage over Manchester United at the top of the table.

The London club now have a lead of just two points and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be thankful to Hull for holding his great rivals to a draw to blow the title race wide open.

Ancelotti had the luxury of recalling Drogba for the first time since he departed for the African Cup of Nations over four weeks ago, while England internationals Joe Cole and Ashley Cole had to be content with a place on the bench.

John Terry also maintained his place in the side despite the on-going pressure on him to resign as England captain following his off-field problems while Deco was recalled to the starting line-up.

Brown, meanwhile, made just one change to the side which was held to a disappointing draw with Wolves last weekend, recalling Craig Fagan on the right wing in place of Bernard Mendy. The Hull manager resisted the temptation to hand a full debut to new loan signing Amr Zaki.

Hull had gone nine games without a victory and found themselves entrenched in the relegation zone. Considering Manchester City were the next visitors to the KC Stadium then the immediate future looked bleak.

But Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm from the start and seemed to make Hull’s evening easier than expected.

Frank Lampard worried Boaz Myhill with a swerving drive inside nine minutes which the Hull goalkeeper could only palm straight to Nicolas Anelka but the French striker stubbed his shot badly wide with the goal at his mercy.

It wasn’t until the 24th minute that Chelsea threatened again when Branislav Ivanovic sent over an inch-perfect cross for the waiting Michael Ballack but all the German midfielder could do was power his diving header straight at Myhill from close range.

The longer the game went on the more Hull seemed to grow in confidence but it still came a surprise when they took the lead with their first real attack of the game.

Terry was nowhere to be seen as Stephen Hunt swung over a corner and Mouyokolo rose the highest to head past the helpless Petr Cech.

But Hull’s lead always looked fragile and it lasted just 13 minutes before Drogba levelled the scores with a powerful free kick into the bottom corner of Myhill’s goal.

Hull could have restored their lead on the stroke of half time when Tom Cairney’s free kick found the head of the unmarked Anthony Gardner, but the defender could only direct his effort over the crossbar.

Yet Chelsea always carried a threat and Myhill had to be at his best to keep the scores level with a fine double save just before the hour mark.

First he got down sharply to tip wide a skidding drive from Florent Malouda before producing an even better stop to keep out Drogba’s downward header from Malouda’s cross as Brown’s men hung on for a point that is of much more use to them than Chelsea.

HULL, England (AFP)

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Manager Carlo Ancelotti takes his side to Turf Moor to face Burnley, who have beaten Sir Alex Ferguson’s champions and held Arsene Wenger’s Gunners already this season.

Following on from an impressive 3-0 mid-week success against Birmingham, who had not lost for 15 matches ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge, optimism will be high within Chelsea ranks that they can collect another three points.

However, this fixture will provide a test of character for the side and experienced players at the club will realise it requires as much concentration and focus as any encounter against one of the country’s bigger clubs.

The Blues have suffered two away defeats this term, at the hands of Manchester City and Aston Villa, and this latest game on the road is an opportunity to open the gap at the top of the league.

United and Arsenal face each other on Sunday, meaning a win at Burnley would leave Chelsea four points clear of Ferguson’s side, and five ahead of Wenger’s men.

“If we open up that gap again it’ll be great,” said midfielder Frank Lampard, who was an integral part of Chelsea’s two Premier League title successes (2004-05 and 2005-06) under Jose Mourinho.

“Those little mental things are great during the season.

“It’s a great to be back on top. We knew we had games in hand but we didn’t like to see ourselves down in third place. Arsenal were on a good run but it’s a marathon not a sprint.”

Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are both available following their return from the African Nations Cup but the Ivory Coast duo have been given the weekend off to recover from their long trip back to London.

Chelsea’s ability to cope without Drogba’s goals was questioned before he flew off to Angola, but since then the London outfit have won all four fixtures they have played — scoring 17 goals along the way.

“We didn’t say we’d struggle this month, everyone else did,” Lampard added. “We have a lot of belief. I just think the loss of Didier was talked about too much. We’ve got the players who can come in. Maybe some needed to step up and everyone has done.

“We have gone up another gear this month. We had a bad run in December, dropped some points and we’ve worked hard to get that back.”

The last time these sides met was in August, and Chelsea ran out 3-0 winners courtesy of goals from Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole.

Since then Burnley have changed managers though, and Brian Laws has failed to pick up a win since taking over from Owen Coyle earlier in the month. In fact, Burnley have not even scored a goal since he arrived.

The former Sheffield Wednesday chief has lost all three matches so far, leaving the Clarets inside the bottom three. And they have injury problems to contend with too.

Versatile anchorman Graham Alexander and midfielder Chris McCann are almost certainly ruled out of the game, although Cameroon international Andre Bikey returns from international duty.

Defender Leon Cort and goalkeeper Nicky Weaver have been brought in this week in an attempt to add strength in depth to the squad.

Cort, a 1.5-million-pound (1.7-million-euro) signing from Stoke, is set for his debut against Chelsea, while former Manchester City keeper Weaver, who joined as a free agent, has made it clear he is ready to challenge Brian Jensen for the number one spot.

He said: “The chance to come back into the Premier League was something I couldn?t turn down and hopefully it?s longer than just for a few months.

“There are 16 games left and a lot of points to play for and all the players will pull in the right direction to keep the club in the Premiership.”

BURNLEY, England (AFP)

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