Holders sneak past QPR
FA Cup holders Chelsea began their defence of the trophy with a fortuitous 1-0 victory over west London neighbours Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge.
An own goal from Rangers goalkeeper Lee Camp in the 29th minute allowed Chelsea a safe passage into the fourth round.
Claudio Pizarro's 20-yard shot rebounded off an upright and then off the back of the unfortunate Camp before spinning over the goal line to provide the decisive moment of an entertaining cup tie.
The Blues were in control from the beginning and almost opened the scoring in the 12th minute when a cross from Ashley Cole had to be turned behind by Rangers defender Chris Barker at the far post.
In the 29th minute Chelsea went ahead after Salomon Kalou played a neat pass into the feet of Pizarro, who cleverly turned on the edge of the penalty area before firing a 20-yard shot against the post. Camp could do little as the ball rebounded off him into the net.
Rangers had little in response, with a tame header from Ainsworth easily dealt with by Hilario, but Kalou should have done better when a free-kick from Shaun Wright-Phillips fell perfectly to the Ivory Coast international on the penalty spot, but the ball cannoned off his thigh.
A moment of rare drama in the Chelsea penalty area was provided by Hogan Ephraim's cross in the 42nd minute, with Hilario having to deal with it at the second attempt.
Seconds later Akos Buzsaky tried his luck from 20 yards when given a clear sight at goal by the Chelsea defence, but his effort was far too high. Chelsea almost grabbed a second moments before half-time, but Steve Sidwell's long-range thunderbolt hit the post.
Rangers made a change at the interval, giving a debut to new signing Patrick Agyemang in place of Ainsworth, but Camp pulled off a fine save to deny Chelsea a second goal in the 47th minute when he dived to his right to keep out a low 40-yard free-kick from Alex.
Agyemang then knocked the ball down for the onrushing Martin Rowlands to sweep a 20-yard shot just inches over the crossbar with Hilario well beaten. However, Rangers were lucky when Pizarro strode clear in the 56th minute but blazed the ball over from six yards.
