Chelsea 2-4 Bradford City: Jose Mourinho's men rocked as Bradford hit back to claim epic Cup upset

Bradford City's Potuguese midfielder Filipe Morais (right) celebrates scoring the second equalising goal with teammates during their FA Cup fourth round match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London on January 24, 2015. PHOTO | JUSTIN TALLIS |

What you need to know:

  • Blues manager Jose Mourinho had said ahead of the game that it would be a "disgrace" if the Premier League leaders lost the fourth round tie
  • There was no sign of the drama to come when Gary Cahill and Ramires put Chelsea 2-0 up in the first half.
  • Andy Halliday put them ahead in the 82nd minute before Mark Yeates capped an astonishing finale that left the hosts shell-shocked.
  • Chelsea were beginning to take control and their captain Didier Drogba forced a fine save from Ben Williams with a curling effort.

LONDON

Chelsea were victims of one of the greatest-ever FA Cup upsets as third tier Bradford City stormed back from two goals down to earn a stunning 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Blues manager Jose Mourinho had said ahead of the game that it would be a "disgrace" if the Premier League leaders lost the fourth round tie and his worst fears were confirmed as Bradford outplayed their illustrious opponents in an incredible second half.

There was no sign of the drama to come when Gary Cahill and Ramires put Chelsea 2-0 up in the first half.

But Phil Parkinson's side, whose giant-killing pedigree saw them reach the League Cup final in 2013, were handed a lifeline as Jon Stead struck just before the interval.

Felipe Morais, a former Chelsea trainee, equalised with 15 minutes remaining and, rather than settle for a lucrative replay, Bradford pushed forward in search of greater glory.

ASTONISHING FINALE

Andy Halliday put them ahead in the 82nd minute before Mark Yeates capped an astonishing finale that left the hosts shell-shocked.

Mourinho had left Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard and John Terry on the bench, while Diego Costa was not included at all in the 18-man squad, but even so this was a truly remarkable result on a memorable day which also saw Manchester City dumped out by Middlesbrough.

Despite sitting 48 places below their hosts in the league ladder, Bradford had no shortage of confidence and they played with a huge amount of energy.

Morais once turned down a 12-month contract extension from his compatriot Mourinho while on Chelsea's books and the Portuguese winger was joined by another former Blues trainee in Bradford's line-up as Billy Knott started in attack.

EARLY WARNING

The visitors gave an early warning of their potential when Morais delivered a corner and Andrew Davies stooped to win a header, only for Petr Cech to produce a magnificent left-handed save to foil him.

With 21 minutes gone, Chelsea won a corner which Oscar delivered from the left and Cahill made a smart run to escape the attentions of his marker Rory McArdle before guiding a deftly flicked finish inside the near post.

Chelsea were beginning to take control and their captain Didier Drogba forced a fine save from Ben Williams with a curling effort.

Mourinho's side looked to be cruising into the last 16 in the 38th minute when Ramires dispossessed Morais in the centre circle and exchanged passes with Mohamed Salah before stroking in a left-footed finish which struck a post before settling in the opposite side of the net.

But rather than licking their wounds, Bradford got straight back to work and had reduced the arrears within three minutes.

Stead received a pass from Halliday just inside the left edge of the area and shifted the ball to his left before unleashing a brilliant strike which Cech saw too late to keep out as he palmed it into the top corner of his net.

Chelsea still looked dangerous on the counter-attack in the second half, but Bradford refused to be overwhelmed and a series of corners from the visitors had to be repelled as Knott and Morais both went close to equalising.

In the 75th minute the former Chelsea pair combined to send their supporters into ecstasy.

A long throw from the left was flicked into the path of Knott whose prodded effort was saved by Cech's legs before Morais guided a simple finish into the net to draw Bradford level.

Fabregas, Hazard and Willian were all on the field by this stage but it got worse for the Blues.

Halliday curled in a superb effort from the edge of the area with eight minutes remaining before substitute Yeates exchanged passes with Stead and calmly finished in the fourth minute of stoppage time to end Chelsea's hopes of a quadruple trophy haul.