Derby County vs Chelsea live streaming: Watch on Jan 5, 2014

Topics: Live Stream, TV Schedules, Live Scores, Derby County, Chelsea, FA Cup

Chelsea have been handed a relatively easy tie in the FA Cup as they prepare to face Championship side Derby County on the 5th of January.

Preview: Easy win expected for Jose Mourinho’s side

The Portuguese tactician won the FA cup with Chelsea in his last full season with the Blues during his first stint at the Stamford Bridge. After 90 minutes without a goal, Didier Drogba scored in injury time to allow Chelsea to lift the trophy at the expense of Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.

The FA Cup victory in 2007 meant that Jose Mourinho had won all domestic titles within his vicinity, however the celebration was short lived with the Portuguese leaving the club by mutual consent in September the same year. Upon his second coming the ‘special one’ will be hoping to continue where he left from and win the illustrious tournament for the second time.

Whereas Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert expressed his opinion that the FA Cup might not be a top priority for Premier League manager, Mourinho seemed to disagree with the Scottish international and claimed that that the competition has a ‘special’ aura around it.

"I don't agree with Paul Lambert," Mourinho said.

"He has the right to express his opinion and think differently to me. I have the same right.”

"But especially for teams without European competition, where FA Cup matches come in a normal weekend, I don't see a reason for clubs to not try to win it. Even the smallest clubs.”

"It may be difficult for them to reach the final but the FA Cup has a special feeling and meaning.”
The ‘special one’ further spoke of his likeness for the competition and claimed that winning the FA Cup was one of the highlights of his career.

"I won lots of trophies but to win FA Cup at Wembley and feel what that means was one of the high moments in my career. I have a good feeling for the competition and the good things this country has in terms of football. I think we have to keep them."

Chelsea have won all of their last three matches including a 3-0 victory over Southampton on new year’s day. The Blues seem to be returning to their best at the right time after an inconsistent month of December which saw them dropping points in the league and crashing out of the league cup.

Derby on the other hand have flourished under new manager Steve McClaren who replaced Nigel Clough at the helm at the beginning of the season. The former England manager’s efforts has seen Derby climb to the fourth spot in the table, just seven points adrift of leaders Leicester.

Derby’s defeat at the hands of Wigan in their last outing was their first in ten matches and the former Twente boss will definitely be hoping to pull off an upset at Pride Park when the two sides meet on Sunday. Whereas McClaren praised the plethora of talent in the Chelsea side and accepted that that it would be difficult for his side to avoid defeat, he insisted that his players will be up for the challenge and will be hoping to advance to the next round.

"It is going to be very difficult for our players, Chelsea have a great team and have come into some good form," said McClaren.

"It will be a big test for our players, but they have got nothing to lose and they should relish the challenge."

Scottish international Johnny Russell fractured his cheek bone in the match against Wigan and has been ruled out of the home fixture. The forward will be accompanied by captain Richard Keogh on the sidelines whereas midfielder Craig Bryson is also a doubt.

Chelsea on the other hand will welcome back David Luiz from suspension but Frank Lampard (muscular injury) Branislav Ivanovic (knee) and Marco van Ginkel (knee) will all miss out.

Jose Mourinho has revealed that he will be fielding his first choice eleven in order to enhance his team’s chances of qualifying to the next round and avoiding a replay match, although he stated that he has not decided as to who will start in goal during Sunday’s encounter.