Chelsea's Juan Mata defends Daniel Sturridge following penalty award at QPR in FA Cup fourth-round tie

The Spaniard highlighted the importance his goal which places Andre Villas-Boas' side into the fifth round following a 'difficult' game at Loftus Road

30 Jan 2012 20:24:00

By Ryan Benson

More On :  Chelsea FC, QPR, Juan Mata
FA Cup - QPR vs Chelsea, Juan Mata
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Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has defended Daniel Sturridge after the forward won a controversial penalty against QPR in the FA Cup fourth round.

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Mata netted the game's only goal to put Chelsea into the fifth round after Sturridge went down in the box following a slight challenge from QPR defender Clint Hill.

QPR boss Mark Hughes blasted the decision which subsequently led to his side's FA Cup exit, but Mata is sympathetic towards his team-mate.

“I think Danny went to head to it and I think the defender tried to stop him. The referee made the decision," Mata told the club's official website.

“It was an important penalty. We were drawing 0-0 and with this goal we won finally and I am very happy with this penalty and with this win because it was a very difficult game for us.”

In recent years the FA Cup has fallen victim to managers valuing a higher league finish more than success in domestic cup competitions, but Mata still values it greatly.

“The FA Cup is a special competition for every team and from now we are going to put all our commitment and effort into winning it,” he concluded.

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