Holders Chelsea eased into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a straightforward 4-1 home victory over Championship (second division) promotion challengers Cardiff City on Saturday.

Didier Drogba put the Cup favourites ahead after two minutes before Michael Chopra took advantage of the absence of John Terry to head an equaliser after 34 minutes and give the 2008 runners-up some hope of an upset.

Chelsea, however, were more purposeful after the break and goals for Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and Salomon Kalour made the tie safe.

The fifth-round action continues later on Saturday and includes a south coast derby between Southampton and Portsmouth plus an all-Premier clash between Manchester City and Stoke City.