05/01/2008  Chelsea 1 QPR 0
 
FA Cup holders Chelsea began their defence of the trophy with a fortuitous victory over west London neighbours Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge.

An own goal from Rangers goalkeeper Lee Camp in the 29th minute allowed Chelsea a safe passage into the fourth round.

Claudio Pizarro's 20-yard shot rebounded off an upright and then off the back of the unfortunate Camp before spinning over the goal line to provide the decisive moment of an entertaining cup tie.

The victory helped Chelsea stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions at home to a staggering 54 games.

The Blues were in control from the beginning and almost opened the scoring in the 12th minute when a cross from Ashley Cole had to be turned behind by Rangers defender Chris Barker at the far post.

The visitors demonstrated they were capable of surprising Chelsea on the counter attack when Cole was robbed by Gareth Ainsworth in the 15th minute.

However, Ainsworth's cross was not accurate enough for Dexter Blackstock to punish Chelsea for their defensive lapse.

The Barclays Premier League side were often made to look pedestrian in midfield without the powerhouse presence of Michael Essien and Rangers enjoyed their best spell of possession midway through the half.

But it was Chelsea who squandered yet another chance in the 22nd minute when a cross from Shaun Wright-Phillips was missed by Pizarro on the edge of the six-yard box.

But in the 29th minute Chelsea went ahead after Salomon Kalou played a neat pass into the feet of Pizarro, who cleverly turned on the edge of the penalty area before firing a 20-yard shot against the post. Camp could do little as the ball rebounded off him into the net.

Rangers had little in response with a tame header from Ainsworth easily dealt with by Hilario.

The Championship side may have become financially richer than Chelsea off the pitch but the gulf in quality was distinctly in the home team's favour on it.

It was further epitomised by a flowing Chelsea move in which Pizarro fed Wright-Phillips on the right flank but the England winger's scorching shot flashed wide of the target.

Kalou should have done better when a free-kick from Wright-Phillips fell perfectly to the Ivory Coast international on the penalty spot but the ball cannoned off his thigh and Camp was able to catch the ball comfortably.

A moment of rare drama in the Chelsea penalty area was provided by Hogan Ephraim's cross in the 42nd minute with Hilario having to deal with it at the second attempt.

Seconds later Akos Buzsaky tried his luck from 20 yards when given a clear sight at goal by the Chelsea defence but his effort was far too high.

Chelsea almost grabbed a second moments before half-time but Steve Sidwell's long-range thunderbolt hit the post.

Rangers made a change at the interval, giving a debut to new signing Patrick Agyemang in place of Ainsworth.

Camp pulled off a fine save to deny Chelsea a second goal in the 47th minute when he dived to his right to keep out a low 40-yard free-kick from Brazilian defender Alex.

In the 49th minute Rangers made another change, this time enforced, when Buzsaky limped off to be replaced by Kieran Lee.

Agyemang's height and physical prowess gave Rangers another dimension in attack and it almost brought instant rewards for the visitors.

The tall striker knocked the ball down for the onrushing Martin Rowlands to sweep a 20-yard shot just inches over the crossbar with Hilario well beaten.

It was a different Rangers now and moments later Rowlands again tried his luck from an identical distance but this time Hilario held onto the ball.

But Rangers were lucky that Pizarro could not find the net when he strode clear of their defence in the 56th minute.

The Peruvian striker looked certain to score but blazed the ball over the crossbar from six yards.

Grant had clearly seen enough and Didier Drogba was introduced on the hour for his first appearance since undergoing knee surgery at the beginning of December.

The Ivory Coast international replaced Scott Sinclair as Chelsea looked for a second goal.

It was hardly the most convincing of performances from Grant's side but given their glut of injuries, the Israeli will be happy enough with a place in the next round.

Rangers continued to strive for an equaliser but rarely failed to trouble Hilario in the home goal and while their spirit and desire could not be faulted, they lacked the necessary quality to make a shock impact.