Oscar scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea booked an away tie against Manchester City in the last 16 of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Stoke City.

The Brazilian made the crucial breakthrough in the 27th minute as he fired a stunning free-kick past Asmir Begovic and into the top corner.

Chelsea carved out numerous chances to extend their lead as Oscar and Andre Schurrle struck the post, Samuel Eto'o went close and Begovic brilliantly denied David Luiz, but their misses did not prove costly as Stoke rarely threatened an equaliser.

Nemanja Matic made his second full debut after re-signing from Benfica and was a reassuring presence in deep midfield, slotting in seamlessly and allowing Frank Lampard to make forays forward.

Eto'o, buoyed by his hat-trick against United, came close in the opening skirmishes after turning in a tight spot and firing a shot which drifted narrowly wide.

Eden Hazard was also lively and ran into an outstretched Wilson Palacios leg in the penalty area.

Referee Chris Foy turned away the Belgian's appeal for what would have been a soft penalty, but did not dole out a booking.

Hazard and Oscar were central to Chelsea's attacking work, while also tracking back as Jose Mourinho's men defended as a team, a managerial demand that new Manchester United signing Juan Mata had been unable to satisfy.

Mata was a set-piece specialist, but Oscar has inherited those duties and curled in a sublime free-kick for his ninth goal of the season.

From the right edge of the area, the Brazilian struck the ball right-footed and into the opposite corner past Begovic, who was returning following a broken finger.

Oscar then continued to illustrate Mourinho's faith in making him his attacking lynchpin by tracking back into deep midfield to thwart a promising Stoke counter-attack.

Another trait Mourinho likes is the aggression in English football, but he did not enjoy Stoke players taking their physical approach too far at times.

Hazard, on Chelsea's left, was a particular target, and, after Geoff Cameron was booked for one over-zealous challenge, switched flanks to escape.

From the right, Hazard crossed for Lampard, who was unable to convert on the slide.

Stoke stood firm and threatened on the counter, coming close when Stephen Ireland found space on the left of the area and shot into the side netting.

Oscar hit a post after ghosting through soon afterwards before Eto'o wriggled past Steven Nzonzi and Ryan Shawcross, but could not get a shot away.

Schurrle fired on to the angle of post and bar soon after the restart and Oscar curled narrowly wide after good build-up play from Ashley Cole and Schurrle.

As long as there was just one goal in it, Stoke were not finished and Jonathan Walters shot narrowly off target, Marco Arnautovic curled a free-kick wide and Ireland prodded straight at Mark Schwarzer when the ball did not drop for him.

Oscar and Hazard continued to be Chelsea's most-threatening players and the Brazilian shot at Begovic, while the Belgian's menacing cross was cleared.

Oussama Assaidi came on with 18 minutes remaining and with Chelsea still striving to finish the contest.

Begovic saved a Lampard drive from the edge of the area and was floundering on the floor when Eto'o contrived to slice wide after Hazard's run and cross fell to the striker with 13 minutes left.

Ramires went down on the right side of the box under the challenge of Erik Pieters, but again Foy said no penalty.

A foul by Pieters on Ramires earned Chelsea a free-kick and Begovic saved a David Luiz pile driver.

Chelsea could not get the second they sought, but Assaidi was unable to replicate his heroics from the Premier League match earlier in the season as Stoke exited the tournament.

Click Here For Official Team sheet

Teams

Chelsea Schwarzer, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Matic, Lampard (c), Schurrle (Ramires 70), Oscar (Willian 81), Hazard, Eto’o (Ba 85)
Subs Not Used Cech, Azpilicueta, Terry, Mikel
Booked
Goals Oscar 27

Stoke City Begovic, Cameron, Wilson, Shawcross (c), Pieters (Muniesa 85), N’Zonzi, Palacios Assaidi 72), Walters, Amautovic (Adam 83), Ireland, Crouch
Subs Not Used Sorensen, Whelan, Guidetti, Shotton
Booked Cameron, Wilson, Pieters
Goals

Attendance 40,845

Referee Chris Foy