Alex, an ever-present in the FA Cup run to the semi-final, has earned praise for his part in earning the clean sheet and victory against Stoke on Sunday.

The big Brazilian centre-half may have started in all four rounds so far [one of only three players to do so along with Hilario and Frank Lampard] but the weekend action was only his third game in the last six weeks. Burnley away was Alex's one league start of 2010.

'He amazes me how he comes in and plays so well,' said central defence partner John Terry after Sunday's game.

'He is not first choice regularly but when he does come in he is brilliant. He made two great tackles in the game, especially the one against Tuncay (pictured).

Alex spoke to the Official Chelsea Website on Friday about how he planned to deal with Stoke's method of attack and carried it out well enough to be named Man of the Match by the UK television broadcaster showing the match live.

His captain didn't dispute the decision and recognises genuine competition to make the starting 11.

'It is down to myself and Riccy [Carvalho] to maintain our place in the team. Riccy is out with a slight hamstring strain but hopefully he will back soon and when players come in and play as well as Alex, it gives the manager a problem which is good for the squad.'

Terry also commended the part Didier Drogba played in keeping Stoke's long throw-in assault at bay.

'Didier was brilliant. He came back and headed away a lot of the balls and that is important.'