Chelsea chop down Forest

Chelsea blew Nottingham Forest away with three goals in the first half to book a place in the Fifth Round of The FA Cup.

In a game which resembled a playground bully toying with his victim, the Premier League champions were simply too strong in every department as they motored past their League One opponents.

A number of Forest's players swapped shirts with their opponents at the final whistle, but that was all they got their hands on during a one-sided clash.

Chelsea were dominant from the first whistle and only an excellent save from Paul Smith stopped Andriy Shevchenko putting the Blues ahead in the third minute.

Shaun Wright-Phillips played in the Ukraine forward whose cross shot was beaten away by the former Brentford keeper.

But Shevchenko would have the beating of Smith just minutes later, albeit with a little help from John Curtis, the former Manchester United defender who deflected the shot which bamboozled the Forest keeper.

With Lassana Diarra, Chelsea's Claude Makelele clone pulling the strings in midfield, it was all too easy for the hosts who took it in turns to fire high and wide from long-range. Even Ricardo Carvalho, hardly noted for his prowess infront of goal, tried an unlikely volley - proof of the Sunday stroll.

A Chelsea win is usually accompanied by a Didier Drogba goal and the club's leading scorer duly obliged on 18 minutes. After Nicky Southall had felled Wayne Bridge on the edge of the box, Drogba curled a delightful free-kick over the wall and past Smith's outstretched hand.

Despite their team's abject performance, the Forest fans were determined to enjoy themselves. The Chelsea players may have totally bossed proceedings on the field, but it was the travelling army camped in the old Shed End who were winning off the field.

It was not until the 34th minute that they had something to shout about when Junior Agogo had Forest's first shot, but even that was offside.

Such was the poor service to the Forest forwards that Nathan Tyson decided to take matters into his own hands in a desperate bid to get involved, tackling Wayne Bridge yards from his own goal as Chelsea threatened to extend their lead.

But Chelsea, who had 81 per cent of the first half possession, were not to be denied a third before the break. After an untidy scramble, John Obi Mikel stabbed home from a yard out.

Chelsea were met by a more resolute Forest after the break, perhaps with a few firm words from Colin Calderwood ringing in their ears.

After a sedate opening 15 minutes, Forest went close to pulling a goal back.

Junior Agogo cleverly spun Michael Essien before dragging a left foot shot across goal which first Perch, then Wes Morgan, failed to turn in at the back post.

From then on it was business as usual for Chelsea.

Shevchenko raced clear before pulling a shot wide, substitute Salomon Kalou headed straight at Smith then Lampard powered a 20-yarder which hit the exposed Forest keeper on the knee.

Moments later Essien headed past Smith but Curtis somehow cleared off the line.

Jose Mourinho managed to give three subs a run, including 16 year old Michael Woods, who scored twice against Forest in The FA Youth Cup in December.

Chelsea: Cech, Geremi, Essien, Carvalho, Bridge, Wright-Phillips (Morais 81), Lampard (Woods 79), Diarra, Mikel, Shevchenko, Drogba (Kalou 62).

Subs not used: Cudicini, Cole.

Nottingham Forest: Smith, Curtis, Morgan, Breckin, Bennett, Southall, Gary Holt (Clingan 46), Perch (Dobie 73), Tyson, Grant Holt, Agogo (Lester 73).

Subs not used: Redmond, McGugan.

Referee: Alan Wiley.

Assistants: Philip Sharp & Michael Murphy.

Fourth Official: Kevin Friend.

Attendance: 41,516