Holders Chelsea [ Images ] 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 [ Images ] put the Cup favourites ahead after two minutes before Michael Chopra took advantage of the absence of John Terry [ Images ] 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 [ Images ], 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 [ Images ] and Stoke City [ Images ].