FA CUP: Chelsea 4 Cardiff City 1

The Ivory Coast striker was exceptional again in Chelsea's demolition of Championship side Cardiff in the FA Cup fifth round at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba put the Blues in front with his 23rd goal of the season and laid on the second for Germany captain Michael Ballack as the holders reached the quarter-finals.

The Blues were given a scare when Michael Chopra cancelled out Drogba's opener before the interval, but Chelsea's class told with second-half goals from Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and substitute Salomon Kalou.

Drogba is currently in the hunt for the Golden Boot with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney but, even if he beats his adversary, the striker is already thinking about doing even better next term.

"No matter what I do this season, next year when I return my objective will be to do better than that," declared Drogba.

"If people say, 'He has had a fantastic season', I will try to do better because that's the way I am."

Chelsea's spirit has been tested on and off the pitch in recent days, by tabloid talk about the private lives of captain John Terry and left-back Ashley Cole and defeat at Everton last Wednesday night, where Cole suffered a broken ankle.

Terry missed the win over Cardiff because he was in Dubai with wife Toni following his alleged affair with French lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel, the ex-girlfriend of ex-Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge.

The defender was stripped of the England captaincy by national coach Fabio Capello in the wake of the allegations of infidelity and was at fault for both of Everton's goals in the 2-1 loss, apologising to fans at the weekend for his double error.

While Terry remains Chelsea captain with the full support of manager Carlo Ancelotti, Drogba believes the Blues have strength in numbers and leaders across the field.

He also believes the indomitable spirit of his team-mates is the envy of rival teams and inspires individuals to perform.

"We have a lot of strong characters here which is good because we challenge ourselves," said Drogba.

"Because we are all leaders, we always have to be the best – it is not easy but I think we are doing quite well.

"Personally, when I am talking about experience in the squad, I'm talking also about the confidence my mates give me.

"The togetherness of the team is amazing. No matter what happens we stick together and that's the real strength of Chelsea and I think a lot of teams want that."