Match Reports: Milton Keynes Dons 1-5 Chelsea

Oscar’s hat-trick and Eden Hazard’s first goal this season earned Chelsea a 5-1 win at Milton Keynes Dons yesterday that set up an FA Cup showdown with Manchester City.

Chelsea’s dismal Premier League title defence means the FA Cup now carries even greater significance as interim manager Guus Hiddink attempts to avoid a trophy-free end to the season.

Hiddink acknowledged that there was a danger of complacency up against Championship opposition, but praised his side’s professionalism in getting the job done.

“If you play the big, big games like Arsenal, Man U, Man City, etc, the concentration is always high, automatically”, Hiddink said.

At long last confidence is oozing out of Stamford Bridge – as MK Dons discovered when Oscar blasted them with a first half hat-trick.

“He’s playing with a smile on his face and that’s what I like very much with the players, when they know their obligation – and also defensively, these guys know their job to do and they do it…”

Defender Kyle McFadzean is available again following suspension and Rob Hall is in contention after being unavailable against his parent club Bolton.

The goal was the Belgian’s first of the season.

Diego Costa to score and Chelsea to win 2-0 at 7/1.

Out of the blue, though, the hosts equalised six minutes later – a Darren Potter 20-yarder looping up off Nemanja Matic and bemusing Thibaut Courtois.

It got better for Guus Hiddink’s side in the 62nd minute when Hazard turned provider to tee up Bertrand Traore, who clinically side-footed home from 12-yards out for the fifth. Three minutes later, Oscar had the chance to open the scoring but his shot went wide.

Hazard’s penalty ended a 31-game goal drought, with the Belgium global taking it after captain John Terry appeared to intervene to make sure that he did.

The two League One sides remaining in the competition have both been given away ties.

Traore was introduced as a sub and within minutes he fired his first Chelsea goal from a Hazard cut-back.

“I couldn’t play for another Premier League club”.

“I don’t want to say that (the cup is more important) because we’d be neglecting the beauty of the Premier League, but the next step is about Sunday”.

Most Chelsea fans might be disgruntled at the Belgium international’s dip in form but as we all know he has undeniable quality and is capable of producing world class moments.