The 2014 Academy Awards aren’t set to take place until early March but there was only one Oscar on everyone’s lips at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder lit up a grey afternoon in west London, helping his side into the Fifth Round of The FA Cup with a majestic free-kick winner against Stoke City.
With the sale of fans’ favourite and playmaker Juan Mata to Premier League rivals Manchester United just 24 hours earlier, Blues boss Jose Mourinho had shown his faith in the 22-year-old star.
Chelsea 1-0 Stoke City
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Fourth Round Proper
Saturday 26 January
Stamford Bridge
Winners receive £90,000
And he lived up to his manager’s expectations in this game, ably assisted by the lively Eden Hazard, as Chelsea created a flurry of chances throughout the game.
It was settled by Oscar’s moment of magic in the 27th minute, though, with his looping, curling and precise shot certain to feature in FA Cup goal collections for years to come. It deservedly earned him a standing ovation when he was substituted in the latter stages.
He could have had more too, seeing a first-half effort hit the post and being denied by Asmir Begovic on a number of occasions as Stoke hung on for long periods of the game.
Despite the narrow scoreline, it was deserved progress for the hosts with the tone for the tie set in just the second minute when Hazard fed the ball into Samuel Eto’o. He turned swiftly and drove a low left-footer just wide of the post.
When Chelsea took the lead, they did it in style through Oscar although it was a harshly awarded free-kick against Stoke following a tangle between Steven Nzonzi and Eto'o just to the right-side of the area.
Frank Lampard against Stoke City
But Oscar executed a perfect free-kick, looping the ball over the wall and beyond Begovic into the far corner, giving the Stoke ‘keeper absolutely no chance.
They really should have had a second five minutes before the break, when Eto’o broke clear of Erik Pieters on the right and slid a low cross into the six-yard box. It only needed a touch to guide it home, but Frank Lampard couldn’t quite get enough on the ball at full stretch and scooped wide.
Moments later, Oscar was denied a second when his low shot struck the post and bounced to safety, just seconds after Stephen Ireland had shot into the side-netting at the other end.
The woodwork came to Stoke’s rescue for a second time just two minutes after the re-start when Schurrle’s rising shot from the right flashed past Begovic only to bounce back off the bar.
Schurrle then turned provider, setting up Oscar with a first-time pass into the box, but the midfielder’s shot flew inches wide of the post as Chelsea continued their quest for a second.
The missed opportunities meant Stoke were still in with a chance and Marco Arnautovic came closest for them when his curling free-kick flashed just wide of the post before the hour mark.
Oscar was the match-winner against Stoke City
But Chelsea kept on coming and another golden chance came and went in the 74th minute when Hazard’s run and cross caused a six-yard box scramble with both sub Ramires and Eto’o failing to finish.
Begovic saved his best for last though, as he somehow kept out David Luiz’s powerful free-kick with a brilliant acrobatic save at full stretch with the shot heading straight for the top corner.
But the visitors just couldn’t find a breakthrough at the other end as Chelsea sealed their place in the Fifth Round where they'll meet Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
Chelsea
23 Mark Schwarzer, 2 Branislav Ivanovic, 3 Ashley Cole, 4 David Luiz, 8 Frank Lampard (c), 11 Oscar (22 Willian, 81), 14 Andre Schurrle (7 Ramires, 70), 17 Eden Hazard, 21 Nemanja Matic, 24 Gary Cahill, 29 Samuel Eto’o (19 Demba Ba, 85).
Substitutes not used: 1 Petr Cech, 12 Mikel, 26 John Terry, 28 Cesar Azpilicueta.
Manager: Jose Mourinho.
Goal: Oscar (27).
Stoke City
1 Asmir Begovic, 3 Erik Pieters (5 Marc Muniesa, 85), 8 Wilson Palacios (24 Oussama Assaidi, 72), 10 Marco Arnautovic (16 Charlie Adam, 83), 12 Marc Wilson, 15 Steven Nzonzi, 17 Ryan Shawcross (c), 19 Jonathan Walters, 20 Geoff Cameron, 25 Peter Crouch, 32 Stephen Ireland.
Substitutes not used: 29 Thomas Sorensen, 6 Glenn Whelan, 23 John Guidetti, 30 Ryan Shotton.
Manager: Mark Hughes.
Referee: Chris Foy.
Assistant referees: Simon Long & David Bryan.
Fourth official: Darren Deadman.
Attendance: 40845
