John Terry, mocked all game by the Stoke City fans, had the last laugh as he scored the decisive second goal that helped Chelsea beat the Potters 2-0 as they reached the FA Cup semi-finals.
The Londoners went ahead through Frank Lampard on 35 minutes before Terry powered home a header to the obvious delight of the home supporters midway through the second half.
Stoke rarely threatened the home side with only Rory Delap and his famous long throw being their main attacking threat.
However it was Stoke had the first chance of the game. On five minutes Delap's first long throw was headed on by ¬Robert Huth and Mamady Sidibe got to the ball before Henrique Hilario only to head over the Chelsea crossbar from three yards out.
Chelsea countered three minutes later but Nicolas Anelka's weak left-foot shot was well held by Thomas Sorensen.
John Obi Mikel spared the home side's blushes on 15 minutes by kicking a Dean Whitehead shot off the line following another Delap long throw.
Chelsea should have taken the lead on 30 minutes. An error by Whitehead let in Anelka, just on the left of the Stoke area. The Frenchman raced thorough and let fly a low left footer - but the ball flashed wide of the visitors' goal.
A brilliant Alex block tackle on Tuncay seconds later prevented the Turk from getting a shot away.
But on 35 minutes up popped Lampard who belted the ball past a raft of defenders and goalkeeper and into the far corner of the net from 20 yards out - hit his 16th goal of the season.
Seconds before the break Didier Drogba forced a fine diving save from Sorensen after excellent set-up play by Paulo Ferreira.
Chelsea should have hit number two on 66 minutes. Drogba's deft byline cross fell to Anelka, four yards out but he headed the ball straight to Sorenson.
But 60 seconds later, Terry powered a vicious header home from Lampard's corner to double the lead and give the Londoners clear daylight.
Lampard followed this up with a marvellous fizzing 25 yarder with 15 minutes to go but Sorensen produced another fine save to deny the midfielder.
Stoke did not have the attacking flair or nous to put the home side under serious pressure and the game petered out with Chelsea deservedly going through.