It was plain sailing in the third round for the Cup holders Chelsea, young striker Daniel Sturridge getting a rare chance to impress. He bagged a brace as they ran out 5-0 winners over Watford at the Bridge. Sturridge scored again in the fourth round, adding a quick second to Nicolas Anelka's opener on the road at Preston.
Cardiff travelled to West London for the fifth round, Michael Chopra's equaliser giving the Bluebirds hope after Didier Drogba opened the scoring. Chelsea, though, stepped up a gear to lash three more past David Marshall with Michael Ballack, Salomon Kalou and Struddige again on the scoresheet.
The sixth-round home tie against Premier League rivals Stoke City was shrouded with intrigue as skipper John Terry stepped out amidst Sunday newspaper revelations concerning his love life. He responded in style with a thumping header, which put the game beyond Stoke's reach having already gone behind to a Frank Lampard goal.
Click on a link below to watch highlights of each round:
THIRD ROUND
3 January 2010: Chelsea 5–0 Watford
FOURTH ROUND
23 January 2010: Preston North End 0–2 Chelsea
FIFTH ROUND
13 February 2010: Chelsea 4–1 Cardiff City
SIXTH ROUND
7 March 2010: Chelsea 2–0 Stoke City
