Chelsea will face Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals after comfortably beating Championship side Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Chances were limited on a freezing night on Teesside as Scott McDonald headed wide for the hosts in the first half before Petr Cech spilled Mustapha Carayol's shot.

Chelsea made the breakthrough after the interval when Ramires's shot hit Fernando Torres on its way in.

Eden Hazard then came on to add more thrust to the visitors' attacking play, and the Belgian's clever one-two with Oscar helped set up Victor Moses for a simple finish after 72 minutes.

“The fans are not helping us. At the end of the season I will leave. They don't have to worry about me”

Boro did belatedly respond with substitute Merouane Zemmama testing Cech with a late free-kick, Nicky Bailey heading wide, and Ishmael Miller volleying over from a good position.

But prior to conceding, Tony Mowbray's team failed to regularly test a much-changed Chelsea side, in keeping with a wretched run of one win in nine league games this year.

A more confident side might well have pressured Rafael Benitez's men, who had Paulo Ferreira, Yossi Benayoun and Dutch teenager Nathan Ake all making first starts of the season amid eight changes to the team that lost to Manchester City on Sunday.

Middlesbrough, however, did not have the necessary composure in front of goal.

Victory for Chelsea, currently fourth in the Premier League, keeps them in the hunt for two trophies - they are challenging for the Europa League, as well as the FA Cup - in addition to their quest for Champions League qualification.

For interim boss Benitez, however, the win now looks unlikely to provide any breathing space with the fans.

The sheer number of team alterations meant Chelsea were struggling for fluency early on. Moses and Ramires both burst into the box, but could not find a team-mate, while Andre Bikey blocked an Oscar shot as last season's FA Cup winners failed to test Boro keeper Jason Steele.

Boro took time to find their rhythm, too, and it was not until the 20th minute that Mowbray's side had their first decent spell of possession.

Five minutes later they almost went ahead when McDonald headed wide from Bailey's right-wing cross and just before the break Cech failed to hold Carayol's shot, but unfortunately for the Championship side, no-one was there to pick up the pieces.

Torres had a couple of surging runs in the first period without reward, but he was in the right place on 51 minutes as Ramires's 25-yard shot flicked in via the Spaniard on the edge of the area, following neat work by Oscar.

The goal was tough luck on Middlesbrough, but once Hazard was introduced Chelsea attacked with more purpose, the Belgian and Oscar both shooting wide as the visitors pressed.

Hazard was involved in the Blues' second goal - a delightful move that culminated in a straightforward finish for Moses.

Although Miller should have forced a save from Cech with a volley from the edge of the area, he did call the Chelsea keeper into late action with a powerful run and shot at the near post.

Mowbray's side will now return to their Championship challenge as they aim keep in touch of the play-off places, but this week does not get any easier for them as they face leaders Cardiff at the weekend.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Middlesbrough

  • 01 Steele
  • 03 Bikey (Hines - 35' )
  • 04 Friend
  • 06 McManus Booked
  • 14 Williams
  • 07 Leadbitter
  • 10 Bailey Booked
  • 38 Haroun
  • 19 Carayol (Zemmama - 74' )
  • 23 Main (Miller - 62' )
  • 27 McDonald

Substitutes

  • 32 Leutwiler
  • 15 Hines
  • 05 Zemmama
  • 33 Smallwood
  • 09 Emnes
  • 11 Ledesma
  • 30 Miller

Chelsea

  • 01 Cech
  • 02 Ivanovic
  • 19 Ferreira
  • 26 Terry
  • 34 Bertrand
  • 07 Ramires
  • 11 Oscar (Marin - 79' )
  • 13 Moses (David Luiz - 76' )
  • 30 Benayoun (Hazard - 58' )
  • 57 Ake
  • 09 Torres

Substitutes

  • 22 Turnbull
  • 03 Cole
  • 04 David Luiz
  • 08 Lampard
  • 17 Hazard
  • 21 Marin
  • 29 Ba
Ref: Atkinson
Att: 27,856

Match Stats

Shots

12 8

On target

5 4

Corners

3 5

Fouls

6 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:17 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.

90:00 +2:56

Shot by Eden Hazard (Chelsea) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed right.

90:00 +2:11

Shot by Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

89:03

Shot by Ishmael Miller (Middlesbrough) right-footed from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), save (tipped round post) by Petr Cech (Chelsea). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) to centre, shot by Merouane Zemmama (Middlesbrough) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

87:17

Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Petr Cech (Chelsea) from own half, resulting in open play.

87:00

Fernando Torres (Chelsea) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Seb Hines (Middlesbrough) from own half, passed.

86:14

Defending throw-in by George Friend (Middlesbrough).

85:42

Free kick crossed right-footed by Marko Marin (Chelsea) from left wing, clearance by Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough).

85:42 Booking

Booking Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough) booked for unsporting behaviour.

85:18

Cross by Nascimento Ramires (Chelsea), clearance by Seb Hines (Middlesbrough). Foul by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough) on Nathan Ake (Chelsea).

84:59

Attacking throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

84:42

Attacking throw-in by Nascimento Ramires (Chelsea).

83:32

Shot by Ishmael Miller (Middlesbrough) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

82:20

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) to far post, header by Seb Hines (Middlesbrough) from right side of penalty area (6 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

81:51

Defending throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).

80:27

Foul by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea) on Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Merouane Zemmama (Middlesbrough) from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

79:24

Shot by Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) right-footed from left channel (18 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

78:46

Attacking throw-in by George Friend (Middlesbrough).

78:42 Substitution

Substitution Chelsea substitution: Emboaba Oscar replaced by Marko Marin (tactical).

78:20

Attacking throw-in by George Friend (Middlesbrough).

77:48

Foul by Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea) on Faris Haroun (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) from right channel, resulting in open play.

77:03

Cross by Merouane Zemmama (Middlesbrough), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

75:50

Foul by David Luiz (Chelsea) on Merouane Zemmama (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough) from own half, resulting in open play.

75:32

Shot by Emboaba Oscar (Chelsea) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).

75:05 Substitution

Substitution Chelsea substitution: Victor Moses replaced by David Luiz (tactical).

74:12 Booking

Booking Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough) booked for unsporting behaviour.

73:46 Substitution

Substitution Middlesbrough substitution: Mustapha Carayol replaced by Merouane Zemmama (tactical).

72:17

Assist (pass) by Eden Hazard (Chelsea) from left channel.

72:17 Goal scored

Goal - Victor Moses - Middlesbro 0 - 2 Chelsea Goal by Victor Moses (Chelsea) right-footed (low centre of goal) from right side of penalty area (6 yards).Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea.

71:28

Shot by Eden Hazard (Chelsea) right-footed from left channel (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).

71:00

Defending throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

70:47

Attacking throw-in by Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough).

70:23

Attacking throw-in by George Friend (Middlesbrough).

69:32

Attacking throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

68:28

Attacking throw-in by George Friend (Middlesbrough).

68:11

Attacking throw-in by George Friend (Middlesbrough).

66:29

Defending throw-in by Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea).

66:22

Attacking throw-in by Faris Haroun (Middlesbrough).

65:14

Foul by Nascimento Ramires (Chelsea) on Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) from right channel, resulting in open play.

64:13

Foul by Faris Haroun (Middlesbrough) on Nathan Ake (Chelsea). Free kick taken right-footed by John Terry (Chelsea) from own half, passed.

63:45

Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).

63:00

Foul by Fernando Torres (Chelsea) on George Friend (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough) from own half, resulting in open play.

62:09

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).

61:18

Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

61:18 Substitution

Substitution Middlesbrough substitution: Curtis Main replaced by Ishmael Miller (tactical).

60:34

Cross by Mustapha Carayol (Middlesbrough), blocked by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea). Attacking throw-in by George Friend (Middlesbrough).

59:31

Foul by Mustapha Carayol (Middlesbrough) on Victor Moses (Chelsea). Free kick taken right-footed by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea) from own half, passed.

57:35

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Victor Moses (Chelsea) to centre, clearance by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).

57:35 Substitution

Substitution Chelsea substitution: Yossi Benayoun replaced by Eden Hazard (tactical).

57:17

Shot by Fernando Torres (Chelsea) right-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough).

56:39

Shot by Nascimento Ramires (Chelsea) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough).

52:33

Shot by Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Nathan Ake (Chelsea). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) to near post, shot by Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) right-footed from right side of penalty area (6 yards), blocked by John Terry (Chelsea).

50:12

Assist by Nascimento Ramires (Chelsea) from left channel.

50:12 Goal scored

Goal - Fernando Torres - Middlesbro 0 - 1 Chelsea headed goal by Fernando Torres (Chelsea) (top-right of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Middlesbrough 0-1 Chelsea.

50:12

Shot by Nascimento Ramires (Chelsea) right-footed from left channel (18 yards),

49:07

Attacking throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

48:18

Attacking throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

47:45

Handball by Curtis Main (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by John Terry (Chelsea) from own half, passed.

47:20

Defending throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).

45:22

Foul by Curtis Main (Middlesbrough) on John Terry (Chelsea). Free kick taken left-footed by Petr Cech (Chelsea) from own half, resulting in open play.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +2:17 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +2:03

Defending throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).

45:00 +1:31

Defending throw-in by Faris Haroun (Middlesbrough).

44:43

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Emboaba Oscar (Chelsea) to centre, foul by John Terry (Chelsea) on Seb Hines (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough) from own half, resulting in open play.

42:47

Cross by George Friend (Middlesbrough), save (caught) by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

42:00

Foul by Faris Haroun (Middlesbrough) on Nathan Ake (Chelsea). Free kick taken right-footed by John Terry (Chelsea) from own half, passed.

41:26

Attacking throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

38:57

Shot by Mustapha Carayol (Middlesbrough) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (parried) by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

37:48

Cross by Faris Haroun (Middlesbrough), save (caught) by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

36:36

Attacking throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

35:52

Shot by Mustapha Carayol (Middlesbrough) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

35:30

Defending throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).

34:51 Substitution

Substitution Andre Bikey leaves the field to be replaced by Seb Hines.

34:51 Substitution

Substitution Middlesbrough substitution: Andre Bikey replaced by Seb Hines (injury).

33:25

Cross by Emboaba Oscar (Chelsea), blocked by Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Emboaba Oscar (Chelsea) to near post, clearance by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough). Cross by Emboaba Oscar (Chelsea), blocked by George Friend (Middlesbrough). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Emboaba Oscar (Chelsea) to far post, resulting in open play.

32:34

Defending throw-in by Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea).

31:46

Foul by John Terry (Chelsea) on Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough) from own half, resulting in open play.

26:50

Attacking throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

26:10

Foul by Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) on Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea). Free kick taken right-footed by Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) from own half, passed.

25:31

Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech (Chelsea).

24:59

Cross by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough), header by Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.

24:26

Attacking throw-in by George Friend (Middlesbrough).

24:17

Cross by Mustapha Carayol (Middlesbrough), clearance by Nascimento Ramires (Chelsea).

24:02

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).

23:34

Cross by Victor Moses (Chelsea), clearance by Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough). Attacking throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

22:01

Defending throw-in by Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea).

21:38

Defending throw-in by Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea).

21:04

Foul by Yossi Benayoun (Chelsea) on Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken left-footed by Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough) from own half, resulting in open play.

20:00

Shot by Fernando Torres (Chelsea) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).

19:11

Cross by Mustapha Carayol (Middlesbrough), clearance by John Terry (Chelsea).

18:35

Attacking throw-in by George Friend (Middlesbrough).

18:08

Attacking throw-in by Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea).

17:30

Defending throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).

16:13

Foul by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea) on Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough). Free kick crossed right-footed by Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) from left channel, clearance by Fernando Torres (Chelsea).

13:10

Attacking throw-in by Faris Haroun (Middlesbrough).

11:00

Cross by Victor Moses (Chelsea), clearance by Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough).

10:40

Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Petr Cech (Chelsea) from own half, passed.

9:45

Foul by Nascimento Ramires (Chelsea) on Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) from left channel, resulting in open play.

9:10

Defending throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).

8:12

Cross by Victor Moses (Chelsea), blocked by George Friend (Middlesbrough). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Emboaba Oscar (Chelsea) to near post, clearance by Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough). Attacking throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

6:58

Cross by Emboaba Oscar (Chelsea), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).

6:23

Attacking throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

5:09

Foul by Nascimento Ramires (Chelsea) on Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) from left channel, resulting in open play.

4:35

Defending throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).

4:27

Defending throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).

2:54

Attacking throw-in by Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea).

2:14

Defending throw-in by George Friend (Middlesbrough).

1:56

Defending throw-in by Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea).

0:00

The referee gets the game underway.

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