CHELSEA are into the FA Cup semi-final after a hard-working victory over Sheffield United.
A brilliant cross from Ben Chilwell was deflected in off the unfortunate Oliver Norwood to give the Blues the lead.
But the basement Blades had much the better of the second half and will wonder what might have been after great chances were missed by David McGoldrick and Rhian Brewster.
Their efforts were all in vain however when Hakim Ziyech made the result safe in stoppage time.
THAT’S ALL FROM CHELSEA
Chelsea advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals after beating Sheffield United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues opened the scoring after 24 minutes when Mason Mount’s corner-kick down the right flank found Ben Chilwell completely unmarked on the edge of the box.
Chilwell fired a left-footed shot that deflected off Oliver Norwood’s foot and went behind Aaron Ramsdale’s net.
Sheffield United fought back in the second half and came close to an equaliser twice with David McGoldrick.
McGoldrick missed an unbelievable chance when he got in front of Kepa Arrizabalaga following a brilliant cross from John Lundstram down the right flank but his header just missed the target.
The striker then cut inside Chelsea’s box from the left flank but his clever shot was saved by Kepa.
The Blues put the tie to bed on the second minute of stoppage time when Mateo Kovacic found Chilwell on the left side and the full-back delivered a crisp cross to Hakim Ziyech inside the box.
Ziyech got a lovely touch and beat Ramsdale to send his team to the final four.
That’s all from us here at Stamford Bridge, have a lovely day!
PULISIC REACTS
Chelsea star Christian Pulisic admited that Sheffield United gave them a hard afternoon at Stamford Bridge.
Pulisic said: “They didn’t make it easy on us. We knew they had quality, and we had to suffer a bit [in the] second half. But yeah, it’s a clean sheet, a good performance.
“We knew it was going to be a bit uncomfortable. Sometimes, you know, there’s going to be a bit of pressure and we just have to defend and be strong as a team and I think we did that today, so in the end, I was happy.
“They’re a good defensive side as well, we had a couple of chances where we could have done a bit better but in the end we got the two goals and that’s a good result.
“We definitely have a confident bunch of guys. Obviously when you go on a streak like this, we’re feeling really good, we feel like we can beat anyone, so that’s a good feeling”
GETTY IMAGES HAK-ING THROUGH
Here’s how Hakim Ziyech put the tie to bed and sent Chelsea through to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Mateo Kovacic found Ben Chilwell on the left and the full-back’s crisp cross found Ziyech inside the box.
The star winger got a beautiful touch and beat Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to double the hosts’ lead.
Check it out:
TUCHEL REACTS
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admits his team was “lucky” not to concede in the second half.
Tuchel said: “It was a tough match, we had a good first half where we controlled everything, but second half, we lost control.
“We were clearly tired now. I could see after 14 matches consecutive, I could ‘feel us’ tired, and a bit of lack of concentration, many little faults, and a strong opponent in the second half. So we were lucky in the second half to keep the clean sheet.
“It was not the first time in 14 matches where we were lucky, and we allowed too many chances, but it’s important in the end in the cup to go through. This was the target, and we reached it.
“Honestly I could feel it in training, since some days, we feel a bit tired, and a lack of concentration, it can happen in a game. I’m happy that we got help from the bench. In the end we have a win”
GETTY IMAGES CLEAN WIN
Chelsea are through to the FA Cup semi-finals and have made it in style.
The Blues have kept seven successive clean sheets and equalled their most recent record from 2005.
They are now after their all-time greatest record of nine, which they achieved in 1905.
More below:
WHO’S NEXT?
Chelsea are going to find out their next FA Cup opponents later on today at around 5.45pm as the semi-final draw takes place when Manchester United’s clash with Leicester reaches half-time.
Southampton also made it through as they eliminated Bournemouth away thanks to a 3-0 win yesterday.
The same goes for favourites Manchester City, who defeated Everton 2-0 away in their quarter-final tie.
The final participant in the competition’s final four will be decided when Leicester and United collide in the evening
GETTY IMAGES STATS
Chelsea dominated 63 per cent of possession throughout the FA Cup encounter following a late surge by Sheffield United.
The Blues completed 602 passes, which was almost double than the Blades’ 352.
The west Londoners produced a total of eight shots, three of which were on target.
The visitors, on the other hand, got seven shots, four of which were on target
FT: CHELSEA 2-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
Chelsea advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals after beating Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues opened the scoring after 24 minutes when Mason Mount’s corner down the right side found Ben Chilwell unmarked on the edge of the box and the full-back’s left-footed shot deflected off Oliver Norwood to go behind Aaron Ramsdale’s net.
The Blades came close to equalising twice in the second half with David McGoldrick who failed to head the ball in goal following a beautiful cross by John Lundstram down the right flank.
McGoldrick also didn’t manage to beat Kepa Arrizabalaga with a clever shot down the left flank.
And so Chelsea put the tie to bed on the second minute of stoppage time when Chilwell delivered a crisp cross from the left and found Hakim Ziyech who got a beautiful touch and beat Ramsdale to send the west Londoners to the semi-finals
GETTY IMAGES PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S FULL-TIME AT CHELSEA!!!!!!
CHELSEA 2-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
90+2 Chelsea break into a counter-attack after Sheffield United get dispossessed in midfield.
Chilwell delivers a beautiful cross from the left flank and finds Ziyech who gets a beautiful touch and beats Ramsdale with a fine finish
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!
CHELSEA DOUBLE THE LEAD WITH ZIYECH!!!!!!!!!!!
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
90+1 WHAT A CHANCE!
Sheffield United miss another incredible opportunity! How is that even possible?
Brewster gets the ball at the edge of the box and fires a brilliant shot that just misses Kepa’s bottom right corner!
Three minutes of added time to go!!
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
90 SUBSTITUTION
Last throw of the dice for Sheffield United as Mousset replaces Bogle.
Mousset enjoyed a brilliant campaign last year, but can he save this tie?
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
88 Ziyech is down after Baldock’s arm brushed on the Chelsea star’s face.
But the Blues ace gets back up on his feet
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
85 Chelsea are dominating down Sheffield United’s third now that they have Ziyech’s pace, as well as Havertz and Kante who are holding on to possession.
But Sheffield United can strike out of nowhere, as proven twice before
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
83 SUBSTITUTION
Chelsea boss Tuchel is playing his insurance policy as Kante comes on for Pulisic.
The Blues manager needs a player that can hold on to possession and create some major opportunities to put the tie to bed
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
80 Just 10 more minutes to go until full-time.
Chelsea have improved with Ziyech and Havertz on the pitch.
But Sheffield United still believe in a late equaliser that would set the tie on fire!
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
79 SUBSTITUTION
Another switch by Heckingbottom as he brings on Brewster for Norwood.
The visitors still believe in a late equaliser
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
78 WHAT A CHANCE!
Sheffield United miss another major opportunity to equalise.
Mcgoldrick outmuscles Azpilicueta down the left flank and fires a shot that Kepa just manages to save before Chilwell clears
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
78 Chelsea manager Tuchel has halted Sheffield United’s momentum with his last two substitutions.
Ziyech has added pace in the hosts’ attack and Havertz controls midfield.
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
76 SUBSTITUTION
Sheffied United manager Heckingbottom makes his first switch as Burke replaces McBurnie
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
75 Tuchel is asking his players to calm down on the pitch and wait before they deliver a cross or switch the ball.
As time goes by the Bloues become more confident with advancing in the semi-finals
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
72 SUBSTITUTION
Tuchel makes another double switch as Havertz and Ziyech replace Hudson-Odoi and Gilmour respectively
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
70 Sheffield United have gained immense courage after the last two misses.
However, Tuchel is looking to put the tie to bed as he prepares Ziyech and Havertz downt he touchline
CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
68 CHANCE!
Sheffield United have picked up the pace as they create another opportunity!
McBurnie unleashes a venomous shot from the edge of the box and forces a lunge from Kepa who saves it
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
