The quarter final pairings in the English FA Cup are out, drawn at the Stamford Bridge after Chelsea hammered the youthful Manchester City squad, 5-1.
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Oscar’s cross was then flicked on by Traore and his looping header went in to give Chelsea successive 5-1 home wins following the Premier League defeat of Newcastle.
But Pellegrini’s request was ignored and, concerned that injury-hit City were in danger of being stretched to breaking point, the Chilean boss prioritised European success and next weekend’s League Cup final against Liverpool, admitting that he didn’t consider the Stamford Bridge showdown “a real game”.
Nonetheless, a bad defensive effort by the Chelsea backline allowed Faupala to score the equaliser immediately after and secured parity heading into the break. “There was a counter-attack and set pieces”.
Hiddink, meanwhile, insisted the traditions of the FA Cup must be protected after City played five teenage full debutants in their side ahead of their Champions League last 16 game against Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine on Wednesday. “We told them [City fans] one week ago that we are going to play with a young team”, Pellegrini said.
Chelsea began brightly and so did City.
“Someone said we must eliminate one cup, but I think the cups are good”.
They were helped by the fact that Manuel Pellegrini fielded six Under-21 players – all of whom were let down by the senior stars supposed to provide leadership.
Spurs take on Crystal Palace in an all-London clash later on Sunday.
His team-mate Eden Hazard was impressed by Guus Hiddink’s side’s second-half showing. “There are a lot of disappointed lads in the dressing room but we will move on”.
Hazard then scored a rare goal of his own in the 65, punishing Demichelis for a silly tackle that gifted Chelsea a free-kick just atop the area.
Both sides ended with 10 men with Blackburn losing Chris Taylor for a second yellow card after a trip on Moses and the Hammers having to do without Cheikhou Kouyate for the closing stages after he was shown a straight red for tripping Adam Henley.
“After the first 20 mins we played fantastic”, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic said.
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Third-tier Shrewsbury hosts Manchester United on Monday.
