Film Focus: Reviewing Chelsea vs. Stoke City

The post-Juan Mata era at Chelsea started pretty much as expected as the Blues beat Stoke 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round at Stamford Bridge.

It was a better Blues performance than the scoreline suggested, with the hosts passing up several opportunities to extend their lead after Oscar had opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick in the first half.

The Brazilian was a shining light in the contest, as the hosts overcame a typically determined but undoubtedly limited Stoke side.

Let’s take a look at some of the game’s key moments and players:

Oscar Shows Just Why Mata Had to Move

Now permanently away from his spot on the sidelines where he had to get used to watching his Brazilian teammate this season, perhaps Manchester United’s new signing Juan Mata was watching on from afar here. If he was, he’d have seen Oscar light up the first half with a display showing just why he is one of Jose Mourinho’s favourites.

With Eden Hazard surging around him and Andre Schurrle ably performing as a link man, Chelsea turned to Oscar to try to break down their stubborn visitors.

He did so spectacularly with his stunning free-kick in the 27th minute, the kind of hit that no goalkeeper in the world would have had a chance with—although Asmir Begovic’s slight step to the left hardly made matters easier for the Stoke stopper.

Mourinho’s priceless reaction to the goal might have been humorous, but one will also have spied vindication in it.

With Hazard and Oscar established as the key men in his attacking trio—and supported by one of Schurrle, Willian, new signing Mohamed Salah and perhaps even Ramires should the occasion demand—he has six players competing for three positions, all of whom appear to value hard work as much as their outright quality.

@BR/UK

Matic Settles Back into New/Old Surroundings

Ian Walton/Getty Images

This was Nemanja Matic’s second FA Cup appearance for Chelsea, and it came four years after his first.

Chelsea fans who saw the Serb play in a 5-0 win over Watford in 2010 can’t have thought that their club would have to pay around £21 million for the midfielder before he’d play for them in the FA Cup again, but regardless of the initial decision to let him leave, he certainly looks a wise investment.

Displaying physicality and mobility in the centre of the field—a combination of John Obi Mikel and Ramires?—Matic was able to patrol an era of the pitch which Chelsea initially struggled to bypass due to the presence of the Stoke trio of Wilson Palacios, Steven Nzonzi and Stephen Ireland.

There was a sureness of touch and a crispness to his passing that Chelsea often don’t get when the likes of Mikel or the erratic David Luiz is deployed in that position, and now that he’s back in the Chelsea midfield, the Serb could be here to stay.

Where Would Stoke Be Without Ryan Shawcross?

He might not be everyone’s favourite, and he might never improve on the one England cap he won during the Zlatan Ibrahimovic-shaped tornado that engulfed England in a friendly in November 2012, but Ryan Shawcross is still a key figure for his club side, who would surely have lost by more here were it not for him.

Twice in the first half, he produced last-ditch tackles which saved Stoke, first denying Schurrle after Oscar’s attempted pass to him just fell short, and then keeping out Samuel Eto’o after he’d attempted to wriggle into a shooting position.

Shawcross saved his most heroic challenge for the closing moments, though, when the Stoke skipper went over and above the call of duty to keep out a fierce drive from Chelsea substitute Willian.

Every player feels a little sore when they exit the FA Cup, but Shawcross will be more so than most today.