toptop

Billed as the proverbial contest of David versus Goliath, Macclesfield's trip to Stamford Bridge failed to live up to the fable as Chelsea claimed a 6-1 success that included a Frank Lampard hat-trick.

Paul Ince's Macclesfield gave a creditable account of themselves in the capital but following goalkeeper Tommy Lee's second half dismissal in conceding a penalty, which saw an outfield player replace him between the posts, there was only ever to be one winner.

For less than a minute the 5,000 travelling Macclesfield supporters dared to dream after John Murphy cancelled out Frank Lampard's opener, with a 40th minute leveller, but it was not to be as the England midfielder raced up field to give Chelsea a half-time lead.

After the interval and Lee was left distraught when just ten minutes in he was red carded for a professional foul, in hauling down Andrei Shevchenko after the Ukrainian had rounded him from Shaun Wright-Phillips' through ball.

Lampard completed his hat-trick from the resulting penalty and thereafter FA Cup magic was conspicuous only by absence, as Shaun Wright-Phillips, John Obi Mikel and Ricardo Carvalho added their names to a lengthy scoresheet.

The opening 45 minutes did, though, show just why Macclesfield have been propelled from the foot of League Two under Ince's tenure as they played without fear, confidently matching resilience in the tackle with a conciseness in possession.

The fielding of a strong looking Chelsea side showed Jose Mourinho respected his opposition and in the opening sparring there was little between the two teams, with only Shevchenko's timid drive and Saloman Kalou's blast over to show for their attacking exertions.

When their opener arrived it was Kalou who provided the cross from the left, which saw Wright-Phillips miscue into the path of Lampard, who was handed the simple task of prodding past Lee from close range.

Calvalho thought he had doubled his side's advantage in snapping up a rebound from Shevchenko's free-kick but a generous linesman's flag intervened and when Murphy netted for the away side, the decision looked to be of even greater pertinence.

A long ball from the back caught Chelsea square and after Matty McNeil rose to flick on, Carvalho slipped in making an interception, which allowed Murphy to capitalise with the coolest of finishes between the legs of Henrique Hilario.

Rattled by their visitor's impudence Chelsea needed just a minute to reaffirm their superiority as Lampard took possession from Alan Navarro's loose touch to stride forward and plant his shot beyond Lee, who will be disappointed with his efforts to keep the ball out.

With the game delicately poised Ince will likely rue his decision to not put a goalkeeper on the bench, as his captain David Morley had to take responsibility when Lee saw red, with his first touch wearing gloves seeing him pick the ball from the back of the net, after Lampard beat him from the penalty spot.

The bustling Murphy forced Hilario to tip over from an angle drive but it was Chelsea that added to their lead when Wright-Phillips made it four in the 68th minute.

Mikel scored the game's best goal in lashing a ferocious drive past Morley from 20-yards, leaving Carvalho to compound Macclesfield's misery in the dying stages with a close range finish. 

Teams

Chelsea  Hilario, Geremi, Bridge, Ferreira, Carvalho, A. Cole (Woods 79), Wright-Phillips, Lampard (Morais 71), Mikel, Kalou (Sahar 76), Shevchenko
Subs Not Used  Kalambay, Sinclair
Booked  Mikel, Shevchenko, Cole
Goals  Lampard 16, 41 51 (pen), Wright-Phillips 68, Mikel 82, Carvalho 86

Macclesfield Town  Lee, Regan, Morley, Swailes, McIntyre, Heath (Miles 59), Navarro, Hadfield (Tolley 73), Bullock, Murphy, McNeil (Jennings 52)
Subs Not Used Tipton, Reid
Booked  Navarro
Sent Off  Lee
Goals  Murphy 40

Attendance  41,434

Referee   L. Mason