Chelsea advanced to the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a comfortable win over Nationwide Division Two side Gillingham at Stamford Bridge.

The Gills, twice giantkillers already this year when they defeated Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday, rarely troubled the Blues defence as they dominated from start to finish.

Peter Taylor stated this week that the best he was hoping for would be a draw against the Premiership giants. Judging by their recent away form, this seemed a fair prediction.

After all, the Gills have won just one of their last five away games and each of their five FA Cup ties have been decided at the Priestfield this season.

Chelsea made a number of changes, with Jody Morris and Marcel Desailly replacing the suspended Dennis Wise and Frank Leboeuf. With Celestine Babayaro AWOL in Africa, manager Gianluca Vialli chose to play George Weah, Tore Andre Flo and Gianfranco Zola up front.

Gillingham welcomed back last seasons top scorer Carl Asaba to the squad for the first time this season after a groin injury, but he had to make do with a place on the bench as Mark Saunders started alongside Andy Thomson in attack.

Chelseas nerves were eased just 17 minutes into the game as the returning Tore Andre Flo headed them into the lead. Gustavo Poyets cross seemed a touch too high, yet the Norwegian leapt high to nod the ball into the back of the net.

Andy Thomson briefly threatened to start a fightback for the Second Division side as he headed narrowly over with Ed de Goey struggling.

Weah almost doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time after he was brilliantly put through by Didier Deschamps. The Liberian strode purposely toward goal and tried to flick it over the advancing Vince Bartram, but the former Arsenal goalkeeper just got enough on the ball as it clipped the crossbar.

Taylor introduced Asaba into the action at half-time as his team bid to become the first Second Division team since 1937 to beat three top flight teams in a cup run. The move sadly did not play off, as within five minutes of the restart, they were three goals down.

John Terry grabbed the first goal of his career as he met Zolas corner with a fierce header and two minutes later, Bartram was caught out by another header.

George Weah flicked Didier Deschamps long ball towards goal from the edge of the area and it looped high over the Gills stopper and into the net.

Viallis team could have added several more as Gabriele Ambrosetti, Bernard Lambourde and Gianfranco Zola all missed straightforward chances, before Zola converted an 85th minute spot kick after Jody Morris was pulled down.

Morris himself sealed a fine victory, volleying through a crowded penalty area at the second attempt

The Blues now have just Bobby Robsons rejuvenated Newcastle side in front of them as they bid to become the final FA Cup winners before the rebuilding of Wembley Stadium.

Chelsea: De Goey, Lambourde, Terry (Clement 73), Desailly, Harley, Poyet, Deschamps, Morris, Zola, Weah (Sutton 78), Flo (Ambrosetti 73).
Subs Not Used: Petrescu, Cudicini.
Booked: Harley.
Goals: Flo 16, Terry 49, Weah 50, Zola 85 pen, Morris 88.

Gillingham: Bartram, Southall (Browning 78), Ashby, Pennock (Asaba 46), Butters, Edge, Smith, Hessenthaler, Lewis, Saunders, Thomson (Nosworthy 58).
Subs Not Used: Hodge, Mitten.
Booked: Lewis.

Att: 34,205
Ref: P Durkin (Dorset).

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE FOR VIALLI

Gianluca Vialli was satisfied to have advanced to the semi-finals of the FA Cup but he admitted that he felt uneasy for much of the match.

Chelsea went into half-time just a single goal ahead, but five minutes later, had scored three and were cruising. The Chelsea boss said: "We didn't play that well in the first half.

Often it is very difficult when a team comes to play the game of their life. They defended very well and I won't criticise my players for taking so long to break them down. The good thing was that we did not get frustrated and showed great patience.

"Sometimes you have to have to have a very difficult 60 minutes before you can start enjoying yourself. It was like our game against Wimbledon last week. It was all over when the third goal went in.

"But the players were fired up by the thought of playing at Wembley in the semi-final and we know that's going to be very difficult again against Newcastle."

Gillingham boss Peter Taylor could not hide his disappointment following the match. He said: "I was very pleased with the way we played in the first half but against this calibre of opposition it was always going to be hard.

"By half time we had probably created just as many chances as Chelsea and I decided to try to attack them with Carl Asaba on as an extra striker. He looked lively, but the way Chelsea play, we found it difficult to keep the ball and gave it away cheaply too often.

"They look a very continental-type side to me. They play it slow and then suddenly pounce on you. To be fair we let in a couple of sloppy goals just after half time and that did for us, but we've had a great run to get here considering we were rubbish in the first round against Cheltenham.