Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea 2 Stoke 0: Terry makes a point as he fires holders to Wembley
John Terry pulled the short sleeve of his royal blue shirt above his shoulder and flexed his bicep, showing the world his captain's armband.[LNB]Still the undisputed leader in some quarters, Terry had just scored Chelsea's second goal in this FA Cup quarter-final to clinch victory for his team and cap an excellent personal display in the heart of the back four.[LNB]Shot in the arm: John Terry celebrates scoring for Chelsea[LNB]His defiant message was clear to the Stoke fans who had tauntedhim throughout the game and to a wider football audience who hadstarted to question his resilience. Perhaps even to Fabio Capello, whostripped him of the England captaincy.[LNB]'The armband means a lot,' said Terry, who missed the fifth-round win against Cardiff to fly to Dubai and join his wife, Toni. [LNB]'Chelsea have been very supportive, the players as well, but themain thing was to come back from a disappointing result last week.'[LNB]After defeats by Inter Milan and Manchester City, this was anexhibition of Chelsea's power. Despite a few early flutters from RoryDelap's long throws, Alex and Terry easily quashed the aerial threatand Frank Lampard's goal 10 minutes before half-time eased nerves.[LNB]Terry had a hand in this goal, too. It was he who kept the ballalive from a corner which skewed out at the back post when DannyCollins failed to clear. Terry nudged it back to Lampard, lurking asever just outside the box.[LNB]The midfielder's shot clipped Abdoulaye Faye on its way through acrowded penalty area and evaded Thomas Sorensen. From that point, CarloAncelotti's team were in control but Terry's goal, in the 67th minute,ended the contest.[LNB]Chelsea had forced the visitors back after the break. Andy Wilkinsoncleared off the line from Nicolas Anelka, then blocked a header fromAlex but was unable to keep out Terry's header from Lampard'soutswinging corner.[LNB]The captain sprinted straight to the Chelsea fans, grabbing at his armband as he was mobbed by team-mates in celebration.[LNB] Sky's the limit: Frank Lampard celebrates the opener[LNB] [LNB][LNB]Click here for FA Cup semi-final draw reaction Then, as he trotted back towards his own half to line up for therestart, he pulled up his sleeve once more and showed off the armbandagain. [LNB]After the final whistle, blew kisses to the home fans, then heconducted a post-match interview shirtless but still wearing hisarmband.[LNB]'He is an exceptional captain and we're delighted to have him,' said assistant manager Ray Wilkins. [LNB]'He leads these players in fantastic fashion and scored the secondgoal, great goal. He is dealing with the situation in the only way hecan, committing himself to the cause. That was another superbperformance from him.'[LNB]Stoke's best moments came early in the game. Robert Huth roseunchallenged to turn a long Delap throw towards goal and, as goalkeeperHenrique Hilario flapped, Mamady Sidibie glanced it over from closerange.[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Just Gr8: Lampard fires through the crowd to dull Stoke's challenge[LNB][LNB]Hilario came and punched the next Delap bomb but it landed perfectlyat the feet of Dean Whitehead, just inside the penalty area. Whiteheadswept a half-volley towards goal but John Mikel Obi was on the line toclear.[LNB]It looked briefly as though Tony Pulis and his team, having knockedout Arsenal and Manchester City, might be in the mood to upset theholders, who were hit by injuries and suspensions. Without key playerslike Petr Cech, Michael Ballack, Ashley Cole, Michael Essien andRicardo Carvalho, this was a seriously weakened team but there wasstill no place for Joe Cole, who did not even get on as Ancelotti optednot to make any changes.[LNB] Head boy: Captain Terry scores the clincher for Chelsea[LNB][LNB]Cole emerged from the bench to warm up just before half-time andreceived a rapturous ovation from Chelsea fans. He acknowledged themwith a little clap and a wry smile but there would be no chance on thepitch to prove he is ready for a World Cup.[LNB]Wilkins said: 'Joe's had a very traumatic time with his knee and youget highs and lows. He'll play plenty of games for Chelsea, don't youworry. We are fortunate here. We have a superb squad of players andCarlo has a very difficult task in picking a side.'[LNB]Family values: John Terry's wife Toni Poole (front row sixth left above the banner) watches her man[LNB]But Chelsea soon settled after their shaky start. Anelka dragged agood chance wide and Sorensen made a smart save from a Didier Drogbavolley before Branislav Ivanovic unveiled his own long throw and set upa chance which Lampard lashed over.[LNB]'There's immense pride in every game they play,' said Wilkins.'They're a group of winners and again they showed a terrific will towin. We class the FA Cup as a massive competition. It's high on ourlist.'[LNB]Pulis said: 'The players were first-class, we gave everything and had a right go.'[LNB]Chelsea have won the FA Cup twice in three years since the finalreturned to Wembley they have reached the last four nine times in 17years and Terry will lead his team out against Aston Villa in anothersemi-final next month.[LNB]It will be the same Wembley location where Capello summoned Terry tostrip him of the England captaincy last month and the same locationwhere he was booed by supporters during last week's friendly againstEgypt.[LNB]But this time he will be there in blue, with his Chelsea family around for support. And the armband on.[LNB] [LNB] Chelsea 2 Stoke City 0: All the action as it happened, with Henry SwarbrickFulham 0 Tottenham 0: Gomes saves the day for Spurs in stalematePompey 2 Birmingham 0: Piquionne's brace fires crisis club to WembleyCHELSEA FC
