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BRAZIL ace Ramires bagged a late brace as Chelsea marched into the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Blues struggled to create much during a drab first period but took the lead just three minutes into the second half as Juan Mata directed home Florent Malouda's cross. Championship outfit Pompey pressed forward looking for an equaliser, but were hit by a late Ramires double before Frank Lampard scored in stoppage time. Many didn't give Michael Appleton's side a prayer before the match but they came close to breaking the deadlock after just 29 seconds. Dave Kitson found space to fire a shot across the face of goal to give the hosts a scare. The warning signspurred Chelsea into life, but they struggled to make their early dominance count, with several moves breaking down before they could get away a shot. Fernando Torres saw half-hearted appeals for a penalty turned down after a challenge by Jason Pearce during the opening 10 minutes, but came close to scoring soon after. Florent Malouda, who looked bright in the opening exchanges, fired in a left-wing cross that was met by the Spaniard, although Stephen Henderson managed to parry wide the goalbound effort. Aaron Mokoena saw a header of his own come close at the other end as Portsmouth looked for a breakthrough, before Mata blazed over when the home side returned to the attack. Chelsea were enjoying the lion's share of possession but looked devoid of ideas going forward. Andre Villas-Boas' side were reduced to speculative efforts as a result, including a long-range Ramires drive, before a misplaced pass allowed David Norris to get away a low 20-yard drive at the other end. AVB cut a frustrated figure but his half-time pep talk worked wonders as his side broke the deadlock 130 seconds after the restart. With Pompey appealing for a handball against Ashley Cole, the Blues took advantage as Malouda darted down the left flank and pulled back from the byline for Mata to turn in the effort from six yards. Portsmouth pushed forward in response to going behind as first captain Liam Lawrence curled a 20-yard free-kick agonisingly wide in the 50th minute, before three chances went begging during a penalty-box melee three minutes later. Marko Futacs saw a low effort stopped by the legs of Petr Cech, before Ward's header was cleared off the line by John Terry and then Cech stopped Futacs' second attempt. Appleton's side smelt blood and pushed forward in numbers, although that attacking intent left gaping holes at the back. Lampard had a shot blocked as he looked to extend Chelsea's advantage, before Henderson stopped a diving Ramires header. The south coast side continued to press ahead as the match came to a close, but Chelsea's victory was confirmed when Ramires tapped home from close range in the 85th minute. Mata's cross was headed goalwards by Torres and the Brazil international reacted quickly to poke home the loose ball. Two minutes later Ramires netted his second of the afternoon, latching onto a Torres ball through the middle before superbly flicking past Henderson. Portsmouth's collapse continued in stoppage time as Lampard found space in the box to fire home the west Londoners' fourth.