Chelsea's Juan Mata defends Daniel Sturridge following penalty award at QPR

Chelsea's Juan Mata defends Daniel Sturridge following penalty award at QPR

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

Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has defended Daniel Sturridge after the forward won a controversial penalty against QPR in the FA Cup fourth round.

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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