Hiddink oversees Chelsea´s march into Cup semi

Guus Hiddink’s campaign to add silverware to Chelsea’s so far unconvincing season gathered momentum with a 2-0 victory over Championship side Coventry City in their FA Cup sixth round tie at the Ricoh Arena here Saturday.

Chelsea were sent on their way with a trademark Didier Drogba goal and sealed their semi-final place thanks to defender Alex?s second-half effort.

It was a comfortable victory for Hiddink?s team, whose quality always gave them the edge, and a gentle workout ahead of the serious business of Tuesday evening’s Champions League second leg clash with Juventus.

All of Hiddink’s key players came through unscathed and there was the added bonus of seeing Michael Essien finally return to action after his six-month injury lay-off.

The most relieved player before a ball was kicked must have been Ashley Cole.

The Chelsea full-back was selected by Hiddink despite the public ticking-off he received from his manager this week after being arrested for being drunk and disorderly outside a London bar.

Coventry fans, though, were quick to let Cole know what they thought, jeering the England defender every time he touched the ball.

Any theories that Hiddink would rest key players ahead of Tuesday’s European tie were dispelled when he named a full-strength line-up.

The Dutchman was clearly taking the FA Cup seriously, and his decision was almost vindicated as early as the second minute when Drogba easily held off Stephen Wright’s challenge before dragging his shot wide.

The Frenchman was a constant menace to the home defence in the early stages and it was no surprise when he fired Chelsea into a 15th minute lead, albeit with a huge helping hand.

Sky Blues skipper Scott Dann dallied with the ball just outside his 18-yard box and the alert Drogba dispossessed him before rounding Wright and goalkeeper Keiren Westwood and lifting his shot high into the net.

Coventry might have crumbled, but almost found a way back into the tie ten minutes later. Leon Best outsmarted John Terry, but lifted his left foot shot high over the bar.

Westwood boosted his confidence with a brilliant save to keep out a Frank Lampard free-kick and Freddy Eastwood finally gave Petr Cech something to think about with a stinging effort.

There was no doubting the home side’s spirit, but Chelsea were given too much room to play and their Premier League class allowed them to control the game at their own pace.

Drogba had the sniff of a second goal early in the second-half, but turned a difficult chance wide of the near post.

There was a landmark for Essien in the 65th minute when the midfielder replaced Jon Obi Mikel – his first appearance since he featured against Tottenham Hotspur on August 31 last year.

Moments later Coventry wasted their best opportunity to equalise.

Aron Gunnarsson’s huge throw sparked uncharacteristic panic in the Chelsea defence, but Best and Clinton Morrison both failed to turn the ball home at the far post.

Coventry were punished in the 72nd minute with a breakaway Chelsea goal. Essien played a part before fellow substitute Ricardo Quaresma was released on the right and the unlikely figure of Alex, who had just returned to the field after treatment for a clash of heads with Drogba, met the cross and fired firmly home.

Coventry had their best spell once the tie was beyond them. They appealed for a penalty when Morrison was dragged down by Alex and Cech saved from Jordan Henderson but the visitors’ defence remained intact.