Times:
Shevchenko has the firepower as Spurs punch themselves out
Tottenham 1 Chelsea 2

Matt Dickinson, Chief Football Correspondent

You know that Chelsea are back on song when they start irritating
people. They once drove even Frank Rijkaard, normally the epitome of
Dutch cool, to blood-boiling fury.

So José Mourinho will probably take it as a compliment that Martin Jol
at first stormed off down the tunnel without shaking his hand last
night, and he even managed to laugh off the attempted assault on his
players after the final whistle. If a couple of Tottenham hooli-gans
were trying to attack him and his squad, that could only mean that he
had enjoyed a successful evening.

Rattling opponents is what he and his belligerent back-room staff do
best and you can expect a lot more in the next few months as they
pursue the quadruple with a fierce intensity. It is an improbable task
but even the Chelsea misfits are firing now, an ominous sign for all
who stand in the way of the blue threshing machine.

Last night it was the turn of Andriy Shevchenko and Shaun
Wright-Phillips to step forward as the match-winners, each
contributing a superb goal to carry Chelsea through to the semi-finals
of the FA Cup.

And, while the pursuit of Manchester United in the Barclays Premiershp
remains a long shot, there was something about Chelsea's durability
and doggedness last night that might even disturb that confident lot
up at Old Trafford. The performance and celebrations told of
increasing self-belief.

Chelsea did not exactly play unstoppable football – when did they
ever? – but the return of Petr Cech and John Terry has restored some
of the old defensive solidity and last night they executed a classic
smash and grab away from home. They allowed Spurs to blow themselves
out in flurries of attacks and then struck at the other end with
brilliant efficiency.

The only obvious blemish came when Ricardo Carvalho tripped Dimitar
Berbatov in the 78th minute to concede a penalty. Robbie Keane sent
Cech the wrong way but, mostly, this had been an exercise in control
by Chelsea, who struck twice in seven devastating second-half minutes.

Lassana Diarra had been tormented by Aaron Lennon in the first tie
but, with Chelsea bolstered by the more formidable presence of John
Obi Mikel in the holding role, it was telling that the England winger
increasingly found himself drifting out to the left flank from his
starting position in the centre.

Steve McClaren will have liked that given that the England head coach
plans to use Lennon there against Israel on Saturday but, last night,
it was more of a sign that he could not find space through the middle.
There were plenty of fizzing runs but not enough telling final passes.

Jol's attacking trident of Lennon, Keane and Berbatov had some early
joy, with the Bulgarian a particular menace, but Chelsea had rid
themselves of the defensive chaos of the first duel. And after
withstanding the early pressure, they began to establish parity.

Didier Drogba laid the ball back to Michael Ballack, who pulled his
shot just wide, and then Wright-Phillips, busy but typically erratic,
struck a venomous shot over the crossbar. Chelsea had some
frustrations of their own, with Drogba booked after a hissy-fit, but
this was a controlled performance. The feeling that they were simply
soaking up Tottenham's pressure before striking at the other end was
borne out when, after Spurs had put together another good burst, they
went to the other end and booked their semi-final meeting with
Blackburn Rovers.

They were two wonderful but unlikely goals, coming from the left feet
of Shevchenko and Wright-Phillips. The first, an arrowing missile from
one side of the penalty area inside the far top corner, was like
watching Shevchenko in his AC Milan prime. Then, after another layoff
from Drogba, Wright-Phillips hit a dipping volley on the run beyond
Paul Robinson to earn an embrace from Mourinho when he was
substituted.

At 2-0, the tie seemed beyond doubt, but Keane's penalty ensured a
tense finish and, in an attempt to kill some time, one of Mourinho's
staff held on to the ball. The Spurs bench were not impressed, but
that was not going to trouble the Portuguese contingent.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-3): P Robinson – P Chimbonda, M Dawson, R Rocha
(sub: P Stalteri, 84min), Lee Young Pyo – J Jenas, D Zokora, S
Malbranque (sub: J Defoe, 64) – A Lennon, D Berbatov, R Keane.
Substitutes not used: R Cerny, H Ghaly, T Huddlestone. Booked:
Chimbonda.

Chelsea (4-4-2): P Cech – L Diarra (sub: P Ferreira, 90), J Terry, R
Carvalho, A Cole – S Wright-Phillips (sub: S Kalou, 86), J O Mikel, M
Ballack, F Lampard – A Shevchenko (sub: A Robben, 82), D Drogba.
Substitutes not used: C Cudicini, K Boulahrouz. Booked: Diarra,
Drogba, Cech, Carvalho. Referee: M Atkinson
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Telegraph:
Shevchenko's bolt from the blue
By Henry Winter at White Hart Lane

Tottenham Hotspur (0) 1 Chelsea (0) 2

Two thunderbolts from the blue, magnificent strikes from Andrei
Shevchenko and Shaun Wright-Phillips, swept Chelsea past Tottenham
Hotspur last night, moving the quadruple-chasers to within 90 minutes
of the FA Cup final being staged along the North Circular Road.
Wembley's gleaming arch matches Chelsea's vaulting ambition.

Before entering the new Wembley, Jose Mourinho's men must first
negotiate a tricky contest with Blackburn Rovers, managed by a Chelsea
old boy, Mark Hughes. Their meetings have been feisty in recent
seasons and with a final appearance at stake, this semi will be even
more intense.

Rovers are not the most prolific of teams, and they face a Chelsea
defence who again paraded all their powers of resilience and
positioning against Spurs' lively front-line. With John Obi Mikel
working hard to shield them, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho coped
manfully with everything, barring a dribble from Dimitar Berbatov
ended by Carvalho's foul with the score at 0-2.

Robbie Keane calmly converted the penalty but Chelsea held out fairly
comfortably, using all their defensive expertise to thwart Spurs, who
even threw Michael Dawson into a finishing front-line containing
Berbatov, Keane, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe..

When all energy was spent, when all hope had died, a couple of Spurs
fans insisted on going down fighting, racing on the pitch to confront
Chelsea's celebrating players. One headed straight for Frank Lampard,
the target of sustained abuse from the home supporters, and almost
hemmed in by gesticulating supporters when he took corners. Spurs fans
claimed afterwards that Lampard had goaded them.

Lampard, stripped to the waist like a boxer, his muscled frame giving
the lie to Spurs taunts about his weight, bobbed neatly away from one
blow, before his team-mates waded in a mass protection unit, led by
Didier Drogba.

Fortunately, the Chelsea midfielder emerged unscathed and will report
for international duty today; even in the long, varied history of
England withdrawals, pulling out with a black eye would surely be a
first. As this worrying incident was ended by stewards, another
briefly flared near Mourinho, as another Spurs supporter raced at the
Chelsea coach. Stewards again intervened.

Acrimony reigned everywhere. Martin Jol's No 2, Chris Hughton,
confronted the visitors' assistant manager, Baltemar Brito, who had
wasted time when the ball dropped into the technical area. The rancour
even spread to the press box, where representatives of assorted
Chelsea media were threatened by Tottenham fans.

By then, most stewards had sprinted on to the pitch, to ensure no
further incursions, so it was left to one quick-thinking woman
official to step in and usher the irate supporters away. Afterwards,
the police flooded the surrounding roads to keep fans apart.

This had been a frustrating night for Spurs. Having led the first game
3-1, they began both halves promisingly last night but failed to deal
with Chelsea's power surges. Against the relentless machine, Jol's
tactics had been swiftly apparent, using Lennon and Keane to break
from deep in support of Berbatov.

Both sides began swapping chances. Wright-Phillips, intent on showing
the watching Steve McClaren his enduring potency, crashed in a drive
just over Paul Robinson's bar. The game flowed from end to end,
assisted by Martin Atkinson's application of the advantage rule.
Shevchenko, in an unusual combination of short sleeves and gloves,
tried his luck, but his shot failed to trouble Robinson.

With a semi-final at stake, and a dray-load of London pride, no
quarter was asked or granted. Didier Zokora went into the back of
Michael Ballack. Wright-Phillips went in foot up on Lennon,
thoughtlessly rather than maliciously.

Young-Pyo Lee caught Drogba, who went down as if hit by Bruce Lee. The
muscular Ivory Coast forward was soon cautioned for throwing the ball
away in one of those kindergarten moments.

How misleading the start of the second half was. Pascal Chimbonda and
Steed Malbranque both tested Petr Cech but, suddenly, against the run
of play, Shevchenko struck, sensationally. Wright-Phillips had been
showing superb intent, and here he sped through the middle, those tiny
legs whirring away like electric pistons.

Spotting Shevchenko on the right, Wright-Phillips slipped the ball to
the Ukrainian, whose response was magnificent. Working the ball from
his right on to left foot, Shevchenko drilled it 30 yards past
Robinson. This was the type of glorious strike that Chelsea had spent
£30 million on.

The last time this pair met in an FA Cup replay was 43 years ago when
Chelsea prevailed, and the Blues were in the mood again. Ashley Cole
set the scene for Chelsea's second with a fine delivery towards
Drogba, who chested the ball into the path of Wright-Phillips.

So brittle of belief earlier in the season, Wright-Phillips was
confidence personified here, hitting the ball first-time sweetly past
Robinson. It was an accomplished finish.

Brief hope arose for Spurs with Keane's penalty. As Spurs fans
celebrated, and inquests broke out over whether Carvalho should have
been dismissed as the last man, Chelsea made sure they were not
breached again. Wembley is in their sights.

Match details

Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-2-1): Robinson; Chimbonda, Dawson, Rocha, Lee;
Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque (Defoe 64); Lennon, Keane; Berbatov.
Subs: Cerny (g), Stalteri, Ghaly, Huddlestone.
Booked: Chimbonda.
Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Cech; Diarra (Ferreira 90), Carvalho, Terry, A
Cole; Mikel; Wright-Phillips (Kalou 86), Ballack, Lampard; Shevchenko
(Robben 81), Drogba.
Subs: Cudicini (g), Boulahrouz.
Booked: Diarra, Drogba, Cech, Shevchenko.
Man of the match: Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea).
Referee: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
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Tottenham Hotspur 1 Chelsea 2: Chelsea driven into semi-final by Shevchenko
By Sam Wallace

They left the pitch like a gang of bare-knuckle fighters, stripped
down to the waist and ready for a scrap ­ and when the final whistle
went Chelsea got one. But the Tottenham fan who tried to attack Frank
Lampard encountered the same fate as so many who take on Jose
Mourinho's team: overwhelming odds and swift retribution.

It was an unedifying end to a tense night, a match in which Tottenham
knew in their hearts that they had been outclassed, an FA Cup tie they
had thrown away after they went 3-1 up at Stamford Bridge eight days'
earlier. Desperation, hurt pride, Martin Jol's bad substitutions in
the first match: they could blame it on whatever they wanted. But no
one was arguing that it was not the better team who will line up in
the FA Cup semi-finals against Blackburn.

You have to be born blue to love this Chelsea team completely. Just
ask Chris Hughton, the Tottenham assistant manager who had a few
choice words for his opposite number, Baltemar Brito. It certainly was
not an invitation for a drink in the bar later. Earlier the glowering
Brazilian had been in a shoving match with a Spurs physio and it was
Rui Faria, the bolshy and bespectacled fitness coach, who threw the
fan to the ground. At Chelsea, even the class nerd wants a piece of
the action.

It is the way Mourinho's team have always played: aggressive,
belligerent and, in the case of their two goals last night, just
brilliant. As the Chelsea manager came back out later for a television
interview in an empty stadium the club chairman, Bruce Buck, waited
patiently for his manager to finish. "Wonderful, Jose, just
wonderful," he said, shaking Mourinho's hand. That was an American
lawyer to a Portuguese coach while outside the police sirens howled on
Tottenham High Road in recognition of a more English tradition.

The game never really caught light until Andrei Shevchenko's opener on
55 minutes and with that it seemed to be slipping irretrievably out of
Tottenham's grasp. His goal was the sort of strike the Chelsea
hierarchy envisaged when they splashed out £31m on him last summer,
and as he came off he was treated to an unusually demonstrative hug
from Mourinho.

A goal for Shaun Wright-Phillips too, another one of Mourinho's
lesser-loved men who was preferred to Arjen Robben, and yet another
tactical masterclass. As Tottenham pressed in the closing stages,
buoyed by Robbie Keane's penalty, Mourinho threw on Robben and Salomon
Kalou to stretch the home side.

There was nothing so subtle from Jol, who sent Michael Dawson to
centre-forward and Tottenham lined up like an American football team
desperately trying to make the endzone. They were in a line on the
edge of the box, putting their faith in the punt forward. For a team
with the pocket-sized talents of Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe it
seemed a baffling strategy, given how desperate their situation had
become.

Mourinho will keep throwing a chummy arm around Jol as long as he is
allowed to embarrass him like this on the pitch. Only when Lennon
moved out to the left wing in the second half did he really tear into
Lassana Diarra. That much would have been pleasing to Steve McClaren,
who will surely play him there for England against Israel on Saturday,
but Lennon's problems seem to start when he has done the difficult
part. When he reached the byline and had the penalty area at his mercy
he tended to make the wrong pass.

Chelsea's goals came in a devastating seven minutes,both taken with
the swagger of a team who are not tiring at this stage of the season
but just getting into their stride, especially Shevchenko. Just inside
the Spurs area, he turned away from Steed Malbranque on to his left
foot and, with hardly any backlift, cracked a shot into the top
right-hand corner of Paul Robinson's goal. England's No 1 never even
moved.

Tottenham were still rocking from that goal when Chelsea seized
another just after the hour, a beautifully worked move with the ball
played into Didier Drogba's chest. For once, Dawson was not close
enough to put him under pressure and Drogba steered the ball to his
right to Wright-Phillips, who took his volley quickly and clinically,
firing the ball low past Robinson.

It was exquisite stuff and White Hart Lane knew it: "Normal service is
resumed," was the chant from the away end. Jol sent on Defoe and he
found Dimitar Berbatov, who won the penalty from Ricardo Carvalho.
Keane dispatched the spot-kick. That was as much as they could manage;
and for the fan on the pitch it was probably that which upset far more
than anything Lampard could ever do.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-1-2): Robinson; Chimbonda, Rocha (Stalteri,
83), Dawson, Lee; Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque (Defoe, 63); Lennon;
Berbatov, Keane. Substitutes not used: Cerny (gk), Ghaly, Huddlestone.

Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Cech; Diarra (Ferreira, 90), Carvalho, Terry, A
Cole; Mikel; Wright-Phillips (Kalou, 85), Lampard, Ballack; Shevchenko
(Robben, 81), Drogba. Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Boulahrouz.

Referee: M Atkinson (West Yorkshire).
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The Guardian
Spurs second best as Chelsea grasp their second chance
Kevin McCarra at White Hart Lane
Tuesday March 20, 2007

Give Chelsea a second chance and you are always likely to come off
second best. There were regrets woven through Tottenham Hotspur's
pride in the magnificent 3-3 draw which forced this FA Cup
quarter-final replay because they had led 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Home
carried no comforts for Martin Jol's team last night as the visitors
drew on all their resolve and talent to ensure a meeting with
Blackburn Rovers.
Chelsea, Carling Cup winners already, therefore maintain the pursuit
of the remaining three trophies that are open to them. It might appear
that events are bound to go wrong somewhere, but the resourcefulness
of Jose Mourinho's squad is deepening exactly when their need of that
trait is at its most intense. While the victory came with outstanding
goals from Andriy Shevchenko and Shaun Wright-Phillips, there were
several other factors at work.

The youngster Mikel John Obi, back from suspension, had a surprisingly
good night in the holding role normally reserved for the veteran
Claude Makelele, who had to be rested, or the injured Michael Essien.
Tottenham did not reproduce the panache witnessed eight days earlier.
They merely nibbled at Chelsea's 2-0 lead when Ricardo Carvalho
brought down Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane converted the penalty
in the 79th minute.
A fixture crammed with energy was somewhat lacking in incident. That
has been the trademark of many Mourinho triumphs and he now witnesses
his side re-assembling itself. Tottenham were frustrated, taking their
total to an impressive 27 goals from nine games but finding statistics
sour. A formation adapted only slightly from the one adopted at
Stamford Bridge could not achieve comparable impact.

With Keane dropping back towards the area assigned to Aaron Lennon,
Berbatov was the most advanced striker, a role that diminished his
scope to be playmaker as well as finisher. The principal difficulty,
none the less, was Chelsea, who began as if desperate to show that the
quota of goals for the tie had been all but exhausted at Stamford
Bridge.

John Terry, ruled out then because of the after-effects of concussion,
had always been bound to transform the tone of the tie. Chelsea had
been beaten at White Hart Lane in the Premiership four months ago, and
as a byproduct there must have been a heightened respect for Jol's
team.

Chelsea's concentration was at its maximum setting. While the
Tottenham attacks were hearty, there was generally an obstacle in the
way. With five minutes gone a typically artful backflick by Berbatov
set up Keane, only for his shot to be deflected behind. By and large,
the sides cancelled one another out, but certainly not with the type
of flamboyance relished at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham's admirable philosophy, though, had not altered in the
least. A Jermaine Jenas corner in the 48th minute was flicked on to
Pascal Chimbonda, whose effort was held by Petr Cech. For a spell
there was a surge of verve and Jenas subjected Ashley Cole to an
indignity, tucking the ball round one side of the England left-back
and running past him on the other.

Chelsea's virtuosity was to have a far more profound impact. With 55
minutes gone, Shevchenko cut inside Steed Malbranque and, from the
fringe of the area on the right, angled a superb drive across and past
a helpless Paul Robinson. The chants of visiting fans eager to remind
Tottenham of the lead that had been let slip at Stamford Bridge were
soon to reach an even lustier volume.

Following a passage of careful passing, Cole abruptly changed the
tempo with a long ball in the 61st minute. Didier Drogba chested it
deftly to the left and Wright-Phillips capitalised with a fierce
left-footed volley. The fixture had been turned into a throwback of
sorts, with Tottenham brooding on the meagre reward they had enjoyed
for so much endeavour. All the same, a residue of confidence still
existed and the desire to run at Chelsea had not entirely been
quashed.

The true difference was in the inevitable cohesion of reassured
opponents. Few visitors will curb Tottenham in this fashion at White
Hart Lane. Active on so many fronts, fatigue might have been feared in
Chelsea's ranks but the sense of several ambitions gradually being
fulfilled is fuelling Mourinho's men.
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Mail:
Spurs rocked by Sheva gem as fracas mars finale
By MATT LAWTON

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Chelsea 2

More than 90 minutes of fiercely contested football might not have
harmed England's players at White Hart Lane on Monday night.

But a fan very nearly did, almost landing a punch on Frank Lampard and
almost certainly landing Tottenham in serious trouble.

Steve McClaren had no doubt left by then, content in the knowledge
that his six internationals who had played their part in this tense,
at times entertaining, replay would be available for this weekend's
crucial European Championship clash in Israel. But England's coach
will take nothing for granted now.

It was an extraordinary end to an extraordinary quarter-final tie.
Nine goals, 180 minutes of relentless attacking football and a
remarkable burst of speed from Jose Mourinho.

He was not much of a player in his youth but Chelsea's manager was no
slouch when he raced to the rescue of a bare-chested Lampard.

Just as quick in the opposite direction last night was Martin Jol.
Just as angry, too. Tottenham's manager was not impressed by the
antics of the Chelsea bench towards the end of this game and responded
to the final whistle by disappearing immediately down the tunnel.

It was left to Chris Hughton to communicate the feelings of a manager
who was incensed by the sight of Chelsea assistant Baltemar Brito
trying to hang on to the ball in the closing minutes.

Brito's actions sparked a brief spat between the two benches and set
the tone for what followed. Hughton appeared to use the foulest of
vulgarities towards Brito and certain supporters saw that as an excuse
to run on to the pitch.

Jol's rage must have been accompanied by regret on Monday night.
Regret for failing to hang on to that 3-1 lead at Stamford Bridge nine
days ago and for failing to beat the English champions at White Hart
Lane for the second time this season.

They never really got close to denying Chelsea a semi-final date with
Blackburn. They had their moments, starting brightly and then
threatening with shots from Pascal Chimbonda and Steed Malbranque
shortly after the interval.

But they lacked the finishing touch of those previous encounters and
their inability to turn possession into the precious currency of goals
proved costly.

What must have really got to Jol was the confidence Mourinho had
displayed before this game. Jol had revealed how irritating he found
his opposite number whenever he refers to himself as the "Special One"
and Mourinho's pre-match prediction would also have galled.

Mourinho said he "expected" to be in this season's FA Cup Final and,
while he may not have expected last night's goals to come from Andriy
Shevchenko and Shaun Wright- Phillips, they are indeed now within
touching distance of the new Wembley. Not only that but a showcase
meeting with Manchester United.

The goals were stunning, Shevchenko following his strike against
Sheffield United last weekend with another piece of magic that
suggests he is coming into form at exactly the right time.

For those who were starting to wonder why he was once among the most
revered forwards in Europe, who could not understand how he cost Roman
Abramovich £31million, there was a demonstration in the 55th minute.

After a drop of the shoulder that took him past Malbranque came a
wonderful left-foot finish that curled beyond the reach of a stunned
Paul Robinson.

One unsettled forward followed another on to the scoresheet six
minutes later, Wright-Phillips beating Robinson with a super volley
after Didier Drogba had controlled Ashley Cole's long ball on his
chest.

Jol felt the best team had lost and while that was slightly stretching
the truth, Tottenham deserved credit for the way they fought to the
very end.

They had not lost since February 10 and simply refused to give up,
their efforts earning them a penalty in the 78th minute when Ricardo
Carvalho hacked down Dimitar Berbatov.

Robbie Keane scored from the spot to ensure another thrilling FA Cup
finale and give McClaren nightmares. Extra time was not what the
England coach would have wanted, not least because of the commitment
both sides had already shown.

The deployment of Aaron Lennon in the hole behind two strikers was a
system that worked well for Jol at Stamford Bridge and the Tottenham
manager returned to it again.

It made for another entertaining game that immediately came to life
when Keane played a quick one-two with Berbatov and might well have
scored had it not been for a fine interception by Cole.

Another Tottenham attack ended with Berbatov squandering an excellent
cross from Malbranque. The Bulgarian's header was on target but it was
easy for Petr Cech to save.

But Chelsea responded with urgency and determination. Much of their
attacking football came as a result of John Obi Mikel's effectiveness
as a defensive midfielder. The youngster was not as efficient as the
absent Claude Makelele but full of energy and enthusiasm.

If there were no first half goals, it was only because the quality of
the defending was so high. John Terry excelled at the back for
Chelsea, while Michael Dawson did a convincing impersonation of the
England and Chelsea captain at the opposite end of the pitch.

Until, that is, Shevchenko reminded us why he was once the darling of
the San Siro.

TOTTENHAM (4-4-2): Robinson; Chimbonda, Dawson, Rocha (Stalteri
84min), Lee; Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque (Defoe 64); Lennon; Berbatov,
Keane.
Scorer: Keane 79 pen.
Booked: Chimbonda.

CHELSEA (4-4-2): Cech; Diarra (Ferreira 90), Carvalho, Terry, A Cole;
Mikel; Lampard, Ballack, Wright-Phillips (Kalou 86); Shevchenko
(Robben 81), Drogba.
Scorers: Shevchenko 54, Wright-Phillips 61.
Booked: Diarra, Drogba, Cech.
Man of the match: Andriy Shevchenko.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (Yorks).
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Sun:
Tottenham 1 Chelsea 2

By SHAUN CUSTIS
March 20, 2007

MAYBE Roman Abramovich is not such a bad judge of player after all.

In the space of three days, his favourite son Andriy Shevchenko has
reminded the country why the Chelsea owner thought he was worth
£30million.

More of this and even boss Jose Mourinho might be convinced.

Mourinho is certainly warming to the idea if the cuddle he gave the
Ukrainian striker upon his substitution was anything to go by.
Remember when the Blues chief used to blank him?

Sheva scored a cracking volley against Sheffield United on Saturday.
But he netted a better goal last night to set Chelsea on their way to
an FA Cup semi-final date with Blackburn.

Shevchenko's 55th-minute rocket into the top corner — his 12th goal of
the season — was followed by a stunning volley from Shaun
Wright-Phillips six minutes later. He got a cuddle from the boss, too.

Robbie Keane pulled one back from the spot with 11 minutes left but it
was not enough.

For Spurs boss Martin Jol, this was a real sickener when you remember
his side led this quarter-final 3-1 in the first match at Stamford
Bridge before Chelsea came back to earn a replay.

Ugly scenes at the end added to the Tottenham gloom because they will
surely cop a charge from the FA.

As the Chelsea players celebrated, one Spurs nutter came racing across
the pitch to throw a punch at Frank Lampard.

But the England midfielder ducked out of the way and Blues stars
wrestled the fan to the ground with Didier Drogba the chief enforcer
before stewards also piled in.

When another idiot ventured on to try and start more aggro, he got the
same treatment.

All this came after both clubs' backroom staff had squared up when
Chelsea coach Baltemar Brito tried to keep the ball as Spurs chased an
equaliser in injury time.

Plenty for the FA to get their teeth into this morning before they can
turn their attention to the England games.

Chelsea deserved to win on the night. They were the more creative and incisive.

But if in-form Spurs hitman Dimitar Berbatov had been braver in the
first half and made an attempt to head in a Jermaine Jenas cross, it
might have been a different story.

The Bulgarian chickened out when he thought Petr Cech was going to
claim it but the Chelsea keeper stayed on his line.

Spurs started the second half well and had a purple patch when Pascal
Chimbonda fired a volley at Cech and Steed Malbranque forced a diving
save from the Blues keeper.

Shevchenko looked dangerous — which has not often been the case this season.

He was sharp, held the ball up well, brought team-mates into play and
— most importantly — scored an absolute belter.

Wright-Phillips fed the ball out to the right where Shevchenko
collected, cut back inside Malbranque then unleashed a blinding shot
which gave England keeper Paul Robinson no chance.

Before Spurs had a chance to recover, Wright-Phillips — another reborn
player — smacked in an equally-brilliant second.

Ashley Cole's long ball was expertly chested by Drogba to Wright-
Phillips, whose left-foot volley arrowed beyond Robinson.

Chelsea were in control and it seemed they would cruise home.

But Ricardo Carvalho was caught out by the tricky Berbatov and brought
him down inside the penalty area.

Keane confidently despatched the spot-kick and it meant a kitchen sink
of a finish.

Robinson, who scored against Watford at the weekend, launched ball
after ball to the edge of the box but Chelsea kept scrambling it away.

So Mourinho continues to show Abramovich — with whom he has a testy
relationship — why he is the Special One.

The Quadruple is still on.

s.custis@...
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