Player Manager and two goal hero Gianluca Vialli (Photopress)

OLDHAM 0 CHELSEA 2

Chelsea progressed to the next round of the FA Cup and an away clashwith Oxford United after a routine victory away from home against Oldham.

It was a potentially awkward fixture for the Premiership side but theyshowed their professionalism throughout in securing the win.

In the first half Chelsea played the ball around well and held themajority of possession. However, it was not until midway through thesecond half that they were able to make their superiority count. TheOldham defence remained unbreached until Gianluca Vialli's 68thminute strike gave the visitors the deserved lead. The shot from outsideof the area was as accurate as it was powerful flying into the corner ofthe net.

Vialli seems to save himself for the Cup competitions and duly added hisand Chelsea's second goal seven minutes later. His predatory instinctcame to the fore as he was in the right place at the right time to knockthe ball over the line from close range.

With a two goal cushion Chelsea merely played out the remaining 15minutes ensuring they did not expend too much energy with a view to thegreater challenges that undoubtedly lay ahead.

Such an encounter may well come on Saturday as they travel to Newcastlewhere Vialli and his men will confront their old boss, Ruud Gullit.

Though Newcastle are having a troubled season the dreadlocked Dutchmanstill has a number of international stars at his disposal, most obviouslythe England captain Alan Shearer .

Yet Chelsea definitely won't have to face Shearer's new strikepartner, Duncan Ferguson, as the big Scotsman is sidelined with a groininjury.

Although Chelsea are playing well and maintaining their position in thePremiership table they will know that this match is not as straightforwardas it may appear in the form book and Vialli will certainly be hoping toimprove on the 3 -1 defeat Chelsea suffered at St James's Park lastseason.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.