FA Cup: Oscar nets hat-trick in Blues’ win

Oscar’s hat-trick and Eden Hazard’s first goal this season earned Chelsea a 5-1 win at Milton Keynes Dons on Sunday that set up an FA Cup showdown with Manchester City.

Chelsea remain undefeated in eight games under interim manager Guus Hiddink and an impressive fourth-round display, albeit against second-tier opposition, confirmed the progress that they have made under the Dutchman.

The win means that Chelsea remain in contention to repeat the FA Cup success they enjoyed when Hiddink was last in interim charge in 2009, but they were handed a testing draw at home to City.

Speaking before the draw was made, Hiddink told the BBC: “We are delighted. Because if you play this game, it’s always difficult.

“If you play the big games, the big teams, the concentration is always high automatically, but these games you have to be well prepared mentally.

“We played well in the first half, but we weren’t finishing it off in the first 20 minutes. Then they got the equaliser, but we reacted very well.”

Oscar’s first-half treble grabbed the attention at Stadium MK, but Hazard’s penalty, his first goal in 30 appearances, came as a huge relief, while substitute Bertrand Traore netted his first Chelsea goal.

Hiddink signalled his intentions by fielding a strong side, although he did take the opportunity to hand rare starts to left-back Baba Rahman and young midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

With loan signing Alexandre Pato not eligible to play and both Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao injured, Diego Costa led the line and his work alongside Oscar quickly nixed any chance of an upset.

After a dominant start, Chelsea took a 15th-minute lead courtesy of a defensive mistake.

An underhit back-pass by Kyle McFadzean allowed Costa to advance on goal and the striker unselfishly squared the ball for Oscar to finish into an empty net.

It was to MK Dons’ credit that they responded positively and drew level six minutes later.