Holders Chelsea scored either side of half time to book their place in the fifth-round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Preston at Deepdale. Preston rarely looked like causing a shock as Chelsea controlled the game throughout, and had it not been for keeper Andy Lonergan the margin could have been greater.
Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge did the damage with the Frenchman breaking the deadlock on 36 minutes.
Darren Carter missed Preston's best chance to score when he missed the opportunity to level from close-range on the stroke of half-time, but scooped the ball over the bar from only two yards out.
Sturridge added the killer second goal immediately after the break.
Further chances fell the visitor's way but North End's stopper was in inspired form.
