London - Chelsea became the first side to book their place in the semi-finals of the English FA Cup on Saturday as they won 2-0 at Coventry City.

Didier Drogba put the Premier League side ahead on 15 minutes and Alex made sure of the victory with the second 18 minutes from the end.

Cup favourites Manchester United are away to Fulham later on Saturday in another quarter-final tie.

Coventry had beaten Blackburn Rovers in the previous round but when Drogba fired past two players on the line to put Chelsea ahead, they always faced an uphill battle.

Defender Alex then put the tie to bed with the second goal, finishing off a fine counter-attacking move after a great cross from Ricardo Quaresma. (dpa)