Mourinho talks up Chelsea's FA Cup chances

LONDON, Mar 18 (Reuters) Manager Jose Mourinho was confident Chelsea would reach the FA Cup final after they warmed up for tomorrow's quarter-final replay at Tottenham Hotspur with a 3-0 Premier League victory over Sheffield United.

''We needed that with the game tomorrow,'' the Portuguese coach told reporters after a fourth-minute goal from Andriy Shevchenko was followed by strikes from Salomon Kalou and substitute Michael Ballack. ''I expect to be in the final.

''I was happy not to chase a negative result so it was good for us that quick goal. It meant I could rest players and players could enjoy the game not under pressure.'' Chelsea travel to Spurs after the London rivals shared a 3-3 draw last week. The winners will play Blackburn Rovers for a place in the first Wembley final since the Stamford Bridge outfit lifted the trophy in the old stadium in 2000.

Mourinho took off midfielder Frank Lampard, his England team mate Ashley Cole and Shevchenko to keep the trio fresh for the derby clash.

United put up little resistance and had top scorer Rob Hulse carried off on a stretcher after a tangle of legs with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech in the 26th minute.

''It looks like a double fracture (of the ankle),'' said United manager Neil Warnock. ''It was pretty horrific, one of those where you look away.'' While Warnock lamented the loss of his best striker, Mourinho said he expected Ukraine marksman Shevchenko, who had a disappointing first half of the season, to go from strength to strength as he got used to the English game.

''I think he's doing well for his first season in a country with different football,'' said Mourinho.

''His second season will be better than the first and the third will be better than the second. It's a natural evolution.'' REUTERS PDS PM0426