Morning cup fans and thanks for joining us bright and early to see if
Brentford can keep their cup dream alive against Chelsea. The holders were minutes away from being knocked out at Griffin Park last month but recovered and will be confident of winning today's replay with home advantage.
Rafael Benitez will not need to warn his side against complacency after Brentford's superb display in January's 2-2 draw. The Bees played with intensity and pressed high to put Chelsea under constant pressure and fully merited another crack at the Premier League giants this afternoon.
The Blues have a huge squad to choose from today with players returning from injury, suspension and international duty to be considered for selection. Skipper
John Terry is pushing for a return after making the bench against Sparta Prague on Thursday.
Victor Moses and
Jon Obi Mikel are also back from their Africa Cup of Nations triumph with Nigeria. Both players were brilliant in South Africa and could help the Blues find consistent form at a crucial period of the season.
Brentford's chances of causing a shock should not be discounted after yesterday's
FA Cup matches both saw surprising results to keep the draw wide open. Arsenal became the competition's most high-profile casualty after losing at home to Blackburn Rovers. Everton were also forced to a replay by plucky Oldham Athletic so another upset is far from beyond the realms of possibility.
Chelsea fans travelling to the Bridge today will still expect a comfortable victory and one look at their side's recent history in the FA Cup will tell you why. The Blues have a pedigree in this competition to be jealous of and are unbeaten in their last 25 matches in the tournament.
Roberto Di Matteo's triumph in this competition last season has been largely forgotten thanks to his Champions League success but they edged Liverpool in the final to win their fourth FA Cup in six seasons. Benitez needs to emulate that success to keep any remote hopes of taking the Chelsea job on a permanent basis alive.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: News has reached us that John Terry,
Frank Lampard and
Demba Ba have all been included in the Chelsea side. Both starting XIs at the Bridge this afternoon will follow shortly.
CHELSEA: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Luiz, Lampard,
Oscar, Mata, Moses, Ba
BRENTFORD: Moore, Logan, Dean, Craig, Bidwell, Douglas, Forshaw, Diagouraga, Adeyemi, Donaldson, Trotta
Benitez has named arguably his strongest possible side to face Brentford today in an effort to dispatch the Bees in this afternoon's replay. In total the Blues make six changes from Thursday's Europa League win and include Terry, Ba, Lampard and
Ashley Cole in the starting XI. Marko Marin,
Fernando Torres, Ramires and
Ryan Bertrand are among the players to miss out.
News of John Terry's return will be a welcome boost for Blues fans. The skipper has struggled with a knee problem since November but is finally able to partner Gary Cahill in central defence today. A reshuffle also sees
David Luiz revert to midfield after missing the trip to Prague through suspension.
Demba Ba is back after being ineligible in midweek at the expense of Torres, who drew further criticism for failing to register against Prague on Thursday.
Brentford have made three changes of their own this afternoon from the side that proved too strong for Stevenage in midweek.
Harry Forrester will be disappointed not to start after scoring against Chelsea in the first match but must settle for a place on the bench.
Trotta has earned plaudits since joining the Bees on loan from Fulham, scoring three times in all competitions for the League One outfit. Toumani Diagouraga also returns to the side after starting on the bench in their last match.
Clayton Donaldson's mix of pace and power will be a problem Chelsea must combat today. The young striker has admitted that today represents the biggest test of his career to date. He said: "It's definitely the biggest game of my life and probably is for anyone at the club.
"It's one of the games you dream of and is what the FA Cup is all about. All the players are relishing the chance."
Brentford's priority is a promotion push that has been slightly derailed since their heroics against Chelsea last month. Rosler's side have only won three games in 2012 but are still very much in the play-off picture.
All the pressure will be on Chelsea today as Benitez faces the Stamford Bridge boo-boys once again. The Spaniard has just one player on the treatment table in Oriel Romeu, leaving little excuse for any poor results in the next few weeks.
Benitez will be delighted to have
Victor Moses back in the starting XI as an option to stretch teams with his pace. The winger enjoyed a fruitful Cup of Nations with Nigeria and played a starring role in the Super Eagle's success in South Africa. If he can find the same form in a Chelsea shirt today Brentford may be in for a long afternoon in West London.
The Bees have just one previous win at Stamford Bridge in the club's history. That victory came more than 74 years ago in the old first division and to date has never been repeated.
Let's get a few words from interim Chelsea coach Benitez just before kickoff. He said: "Obviously I say in a top side we have to be ready for every game.
"I think we didn't do as well as we were expecting [in the first game], hopefully we will change that today. I was thinking about changes and John Terry has been training so he is ready. The pitch has to make a bid difference today and we will be ready."
There is just time before the teams take the field at Stamford Bridge for me to register a prediction. Unfortunately for Bees fans and cup neutrals I cannot see past a Chelsea victory today. A full-strength Blues side should blitz Brentford and I think Ba and Mata will be on target in a 3-0 success. Just a reminder that the winner of today's tie will travel to Middlesbrough in the fifth round on Wednesday, February 27.
Chelsea get the match underway shooting from left to right. The Bees quickly press Terry and Luiz in possession and will be fully aware that they must frustrate the Blues and stay alive in the early stages.
Moses shows a neat early touch to draw a foul from Jake Bidwell and win a free kick. Oscar sends in a cross that nearly catches Simon Moore off guard. The 22-year-old goalkeeper adjusts to catch and stop the looping cross creeping over the line.
The home side have settled into a neat early pattern without penetrating a compact Brentford defence. The Bees have Trotta leading the line with top scorer Donaldson offering support.
SHOT! Brenrford have the first strike of note on goal through Adam Forshaw, who drives wide of the far post after a positive forward burst.
Moses wins another free kick from Bidwell after clipping the ball through the full-back's legs. Ivanovic peels off to head wide from the resulting cross but should have done better after finding space at the far post. Rosler will be disappointed with Brentford's defending from that set piece.
Lampard tries an ambitious diagnonal pass to Cole but gets his connection all wrong to send the ball out for a throw. A misplaced pass from the midfield maestro has been a collector's item in recent months and draws ironic cheers from a packed away end.
Jonathan Douglas is unlucky to be penalised after robbing Juan Mata in a dangerous area and gets the double whammy of a late tackle from Gary Cahill in the aftermath.
CHANCE! The 16th minute brings a familiar, if quiet salute from Chelsea fans from Roberto Di Matteo but more importantly the Blues have come close to taking the lead. A frantic Brentford scramble blocks Oscar's shot after Lampard had miscued in the penalty area. Harley Dean deserves credit there for a brave challenge to deny Oscar the opening goal.
Chelsea are starting to take up dangerous positions and find incisive passes. Cole and Luiz are the latest to link up on the left-hand side but the Brazilian fails to pick out a Chelsea player with a powerful cross.
Mata squares the ball to Lampard but for once the England international's shot from 20 yards is wayward. The 34-year-old has now miscued twice on his 10th straight Chelsea start.
Brentford are under the cosh but once again survive after clearing a brilliant cross from Mata and a cutback from Cole on the follow-up. Mata wants a free kick after being blocked by Douglas but referee Neil Swarbrick is not interested.
CHANCE! Oscar has just hit the post with the best chance of the match by some distance. The Brazilian combined with Mata to burst through on goal but slipped at the crucial time to send a low shoot off the woodwork from close range.
Brentford enjoy a rare venture forward but Forshaw fails to pick out Bidwell with the full-back free on the left wing. The Bees have hung in the early stages but Rosler will want his side to stay level at the break to stay in the tie.
Bees keeper Moore is offered a cap to help deal with the sunlight but decides against it at the last minute. A member of the Brentford coaching staff ran across the touchline and looks disappointed with the young goalkeeper's decision after a wasted trip!
SHOT! Forshaw tries again from distance after finding space following a pass from Donaldson. The low strike is well hit but Petr Cech sees it coming and decides to let the ball run just wide for a goal kick.
Luiz puts in a strong challenge to stop Forshaw's latest dart and win possession in central midfield. The Brazilian maverick looks to be enjoying another chance to impress in a different position.
Chelsea win a dubious free kick just inches outside the penalty area after Cole goes down under pressure from Logan. Lampard's delivery is disappointing and fails to beat Donaldson at the near post.
Brentford break quickly and win a dangerous set piece of their own after Forshaw is brought down by Luiz. The visitors want a goal after Trotta ran through to finish but the referee's whistle went quickly.
The Blues look flat as we approach the interval as Moses switches wings in an effort to force a change in pace. Oscar is the latest player to clash with Swarbrick after being warned for showing his studs in a tackle on Diagouraga.
CHANCE! Chelsea should have just taken the lead and once again Lampard is guilty of missing a gilt-edged opportunity. The midfielder fired wide under little pressure at the far post and has endured a first half to forget this afternoon.
A frustrating first half for the holders comes to a close. Chelsea have missed numerous chances to go ahead, with Lampard, Ivanovic and Oscar all guilty of fluffing their lines. Brentford have been spirited in defence and offered a few fleeting moments of quality in the final third. They are still very much alive in the tie at this stage!
Chelsea started brightly but have given away possession with alarming regularity. Benitez will be aware that while the game stays goalless Brentford will continue to defend doggedly in the hope of nicking a winner on the break.
Oscar should have got the first goal from close range but an untimely slip from the Brazilian playmaker sent his shot onto the post. Demba Ba has cut a frustrated figure in attack for Chelsea and has had little service to work with this afternoon. The Senegalese forward is easy to spot in his protective headgear but has not been picked out by a Chelsea teammate so far today.
If Chelsea's frustrations continue in the second half Benitez has a wide range of options available on the bench.
Fernando Torres, Eden Hazard, Ramires and Yossi Benayoun are among the substitutes and would all represent an attacking change if they are introduced.
Both teams are back out at the Bridge with tie still finely poised. Chelsea will expect Brentford to tire in the closing stages and have the quality to take advantage if they can improve on a lethargic first-half display.
Brentford get the second half underway but are immediately defending in their own half as Luiz and Moses combine on the right to win a corner kick.
SAVE! Bees keeper Simon Moore makes his best stop of the match to deny Ivanovic and his strong save is also good enough to evade Demba Ba from the rebound. Chelsea are cranking up the pressure but are still unable to make the breakthrough at this stage.
Luiz makes an important challenge to stop Donaldson launching a counter with his pace. The Blues recycle possession quickly and find Moses in space down the right. He beats Craig with ease but fails to pick out a Chelsea player with his low cross.
Bees skipper Douglas makes a terrific block to stop Cahill's looping volley testing Moore from range. Brentford attempt to counter but Trotta can't find Forshaw with a through ball.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Brentford (Mata)
The Blues are ahead thanks to a moment of quality from Juan Mata. Brentford fail to deal with a long punt forward from Cech and the Spanish playmaker takes full advantage to send home a low shot from 20 yards out. That is Mata's 18th goal of a superb season.
SUBSTITUTION: Brentford have been forced into a change just after conceding, with
Marcello Trotta being replaced by
Harry Forrester. The youngster scored against Chelsea last month and will need to have a similar impact to keep the Bees in the cup this afternoon.
Forrester is free in the final third but Donaldson's pass is a touch heavy and sends the forward wide of goal. Luiz has time to recover and tracks back to intercept and with that a rare sight of goal for Brentford is gone.
SUBSTITUTION: Brentford have responded positively to falling behind but are yet to test Cech with a clear-cut opportunity. Chelsea decide Victor Moses has seen enough action today and introduce Eden Hazard, who has scored three in his last six appearances for the Blues.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Brentford (Oscar)
Oscar has put the tie beyond doubt with an inventive finish from close range as Diagouraga's poor pass in his own half costs Brentford dear. Chelsea win possession high up the pitch and find Hazard and Ivanovic in space on the right wing. The pair combine to cross for Oscar, who flicks the ball under Moore with a clever strike to earn the Blues a two-goal advantage.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Brentford (Lampard)
Lampard makes up for his earlier misses to send home a composed volley from close range. The midfielder timed his run onto a Mata cross perfectly and dispatched his shot into an empty net for his 13th goal of the season. The 34-year-old now has five goals in his last five starts.
Brentford have finally been exposed after a brave effort and will disappointed with the manner in which the second and third goals were conceded. Rosler's young side have learned the hard way that defensive lapses in concentration cost you dearly against quality players.
SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea make another change and opt to give Mata a well-earned rest. On comes the forgotten man at Stamford Bridge, yes it's the Israeli playmaker Yossi Benayoun.
Lampard looked relieved to be left on the pitch as he continues to chase Bobby Tambling's record as all-time top Chelsea goalscorer. He is now within three goals of the striker and will be confident of reaching that target before May on current form.
SUBSTITUTION: Brentford make another change and swap the bright Sam Forshaw for midfielder Sam Saunders.
SUBSTITUTION: The quick succession of changes continues as Lampard is withdrawn for young full-back
Ryan Bertrand.
GOAL! Chelsea 4-0 Brentford (Terry)
Chelsea captain John Terry makes his first-team return with a goal to cap a ruthless second-half performance for the Blues. Terry showed desire to climb highest at the far post and nudge home a header from close range.
YELLOW CARD! David Luiz has just been booked for a nasty forearm smash on Jake Reeves. The Brazilian has caught the youngster with the ball long gone and is lucky not to be sent off for a cynical challenge. There was no need to get involved with the game over as a contest and Benitez will be relieved the referee decided a caution was appropriate on this occasion.
Reeves looks dazed and has been forced to leave the pitch, leaving Brentford to play with ten men for the last few minutes.
Thankfully Reeves has taken a seat on the Brentford bench and looks to have recovered without serious damage to his jaw. Brentford are heading out of the competition but can return to their promotion push with fond memories of their FA Cup run this season.
The Bees surge forward in stoppage time in search of a consolation. Saunders wins a corner for the home side off Luiz but Chelsea clear easily and break in numbers. Hazard elects to stay sensible and win a corner kick, much to the frustration of Demba Ba at the back post.
FULL-TIME Chelsea 4-0 Brentford
That represents just about a perfect afternoon's work for Chelsea as they progress safely past Brentford at the second time of asking. John Terry was back in action and on the scoresheet while Frank Lampard continued his march towards the club's all-time goal record with a late strike. A result that ticks all the boxes for Rafa Benitez and books a fifth-round trip to Middlesbrough next Wednesday.
That just about does it at Stamford Bridge. Thanks for joining us and stay with Sports Mole this afternoon for full coverage of FA Cup and Premier League action plus coverage of games across Europe. Goodbye!