Stoke 0 Chelsea 2
Chelsea remain on course to avenge last season's FA Cup final defeat against Arsenal after beating a spirited Stoke side at The Britannia Stadium.
The Londoners join Arsenal in tomorrow's quarter-final draw, but endured a difficult game settled by two second half strikes on the break from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Jesper Gronkjaer.
Stoke, belying the 39 league places separating the sides, could easily have gone ahead or equalised, missing a series of clear chances.
"They made it very, very difficult for us, and they are a good side," admitted Hasselbaink.
After an even first half, Hasselbaink's goal came in the 52nd minute after man of the match Graeme Le Saux broke free and Marcus Hall's half-tackle caused the ball to fall to the Dutch striker, who shot easily past Steve Banks.
Stoke threatened to equalise a number of times, mainly through James O'Connor, but the First Division strugglers were again punished on 76 minutes.
Danish winger Gronkjaer sprinted down the right and beat Banks with a venomous shot to the near top corner, giving the keeper no chance.
"We got caught once or twice when we were going forwards, and left ourselves open," said Stoke manager Tony Pulis.
Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri was visibly relieved to get through.
"It was a very difficult match because Stoke started well and counter-attacked," said the Italian. "I am very happy because we did not play very, very well, but we played with the right attitude, and that is very important now."
A spell of late pressure saw Wolves run out comfortable 3-1 winners over Rochdale at Molineux.
George Ndah, who scored the third round winner against Newcastle, gave them a 32nd minute lead with a deflected shot.
Rochdale levelled in the 52nd minute when Paul Simpson's shot was deflected in by Gavin Melaugh, but Kenny Miller steered home Wolves' second 11 minutes from time after keeper Matthew Gilks had parried a Lee Naylor shot.
Adam Proudlock turned in Wolves's third in stoppage time, a minute after replacing Miller as a substitute.