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CHELSEA star Mateo Kovacic was involved in an angry confrontation with Leeds United fans after limping off last night – and proceeded to laugh in their faces.The midfielder is a major doubt for the FA Cup Final after he was on the receiving end of a shocking challenge by Dan James in his side’s 3-0 victory.
Leeds United supporters hurled abuse at Mateo Kovacic as he limped offCredit: Sky Sports
The Chelsea star laughed in their faces as staff tried to get him to sit downCredit: Sky Sports

The Croatian international, 28, was floored as the Welsh forward launched an X-rated two-footed lunge at him in the 24th-minute.
As the Elland Road crowd roared their approval, those cheers soon turned to outrage as the referee instantly waved a red card.
James looked shocked, but the official was in no doubt that he had witnessed a wild and dangerous two-footed lunge as Kovacic rolled around in agony.
And once VAR confirmed it, the Leeds man trudged off the field as the Chelsea man received treatment.
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Kovacic was able to walk to the touchline with the help of the club physio before making his way back onto the field.
And his return was met by a huge chorus of boos as he transformed into the pantomime villain.
Kovacic played on for just a few moments before he fell to the ground again inside the centre circle and signalled to come off with Ruben Loftus-Cheek taking his place.
But as he made his way to the Chelsea dug-out, a host of home supporters behind began insulting and viciously heckling the former Real Madrid man.
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Kovacic initially looked like he was about to react to the X-rated shouts angrily as stewards around the area sprung up to try and calm things down.
Chelsea staff began pleading with the ace to sit down – but instead he took the abuse in his stride and wound up Leeds fans even more as a huge smile appeared across his face.
Kovavic soon had an ice pack strapped to his left ankle and began making his way down the touchline towards the tunnel alongside one of the club’s medical staff, to which he received even more verbals.
Even though he had the last laugh with his hecklers, he now faces a race against time to recover for Saturday’s Wembley showdown with Liverpool.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admitted afterwards: “I tell you not as a coach and not as an expert, but for me it is very unlikely. It was a swollen ankle and he is in a lot of pain.
“For me, I am not a doctor and we need to wait for the examinations, but it is very unlikely he can play. It is absolutely bad news for us on a perfect evening.”
The midfielder was then met with more abuse as he limped to the tunnel with an ice pack on his ankleCredit: Getty
He was hurt by this reckless tackle that led to Leeds star Dan James getting sent offCredit: PA More

COMETH THE HOUR, cometh the man.It will be almost judgement day for Romelu Lukaku on Saturday – if he rightly gets the nod to start for Chelsea at Wembley.
Romelu Lukaku was on the scoresheet again for Chelsea at Leeds – and deserves to start in the FA Cup finalCredit: Reuters
The Belgian took his tally to 15 for the season – and his third within the space of five days – with a deserved goal in the 3-0 win over Leeds United.
Now it’s finally time for the club’s record-signing, and current top scorer, to silence his doubters against Liverpool and fire Chelsea to FA Cup glory.
And also prove why the West London club forked out £97.5 million for him.
He came into the clash on the back of scoring his first Premier League goals since the end of December.
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The 28-year-old bagged twice against Wolves and must have been licking his lips at the prospect of more against strugglers Leeds.
After Mason Mount’s third-minute opener, the Belgian and his manager must have both been thinking the ex-Inter Milan man would add to his season’s tally of 14.
He got the ball trapped under his feet early when trying to break into the box at Elland Road and then headed just centimetres wide from star man Reece James’ cross.
He then had the ball in the net as he broke clear of the line and lobbed Illan Meslier, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
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You could feel a bit of frustration starting to grow, especially after some superb hold-up play led to him teeing up Ruben Loftus-Cheek to fire wide.
Lukaku then surged forward after rolling a defender and cut in past three – but his left foot strike was dragged wide when team-mates were better placed.
Another miss followed – but his work rate never dropped once and his powerful display was rewarded late on.
Lukaku looked like his chance had gone when he opted not to strike following Hakim Ziyech’s square-ball inside the area, but he bided his time and evaded three challenges before hammering home into the net.
It was exactly what his performance deserved – now he MUST get the opportunity to follow it up at Wembley in the FA Cup Final.

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For all his doubters, Lukaku is a man for big games and occasions – as his goal in February to help seal the Club World Cup showed.
And if he can fire another against Liverpool, while bullying the likes of Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk like he did the Leeds backline, then finally his Chelsea career will be starting to look like the one he envisaged upon his return to the club last year. More

CHELSEA took a huge step towards sealing a third-place finish after claiming the points in a bad-tempered clash at Leeds.Mason Mount broke the deadlock early on before Christian Pulisic doubled the advantage in the second period and Romelu Lukaku added the third in the 3-0 win late on.
Reece James and scorer Mason Mount were Chelsea’s star men at LeedsCredit: Reuters
It was almost an ideal warm-up for the Blues ahead of the FA Cup Final – but not everything went to plan. 
Thomas Tuchel made four changes from the disappointing 2-2 home draw with Wolves on Saturday.
And with many desperate for a start at Wembley on Saturday, SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse was at Elland Road to check out the action.
Here’s how he rated each player on show for the Blues: 
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EDOUARD MENDY – 6/10
Had nothing to do in the first half except act as a sweeper-keeper once or twice.
Much of the same again in the second – he may as well have had the cigars out.
REECE JAMES – 8
Provided the assist for Mount’s opener and continued to torment Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk and sub Junior Firpo throughout.
One of two outstanding performers on the night.
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TREVOH CHALOBAH – 7
Comfortable all evening and made a decent sliding challenge to stop Lewis Bate at the start of the second period.
Easy street – especially after Leeds were reduced to ten – and continued his remarkable record of having never lost a game that he’s started.
ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN – 7
Cleared up any brief danger from the Leeds attack with ease.
Comfortable evening for the Dane ahead of Wembley.
ANTONIO RUDIGER – 7
Despite intense speculation he has already penned a deal with Madrid, the German star was not scared to get amongst it.
Suffered an early scare early on with a misplaced pass inside his own area, but was alert to any counter-attacks after that, which was all Leeds could muster.
MARCOS ALONSO – 7
Kept his place despite his first half fall-out with Tuchel on Saturday and was his usual dependable self.
JORGINHO – 7
Great night’s work for the Italian as he buzzed around all over the Elland Road pitch.
Missed out at the weekend but showed no ill effects of his recent injury – which is great news for Tuchel after his midfield partner came off hurt ahead of the crunch cup clash with Liverpool.
MATEO KOVACIC – 5
Started with several surging runs forward and was winning the midfield battle.
Injury forced him into an early night after a shocking challenge from Dan James.
MASON MOUNT – 8
Recalled to the starting XI and needed less than four minutes to make an impact with a brilliant finish from the edge of the area for his 13th of the season.
Produced a beautiful flick to tee-up Christian Pulisic in what was another great performance from the 23-year-old.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC – 6
Was fairly quiet throughout the first half but was always looking for the ball.
Took his goal beautifully, his eighth of the season, but is it enough to earn him a start against Liverpool?
ROMELU LUKAKU – 7
Looked to be set for a frustrating night after his two-goal outing against Wolves.
You could see the frustration growing after a first half strike was ruled out for offside but he continued to work hard for his side as the Leeds defence struggled to cope with his strength.
Should have passed after he powered past three defenders but opted to shoot and drag the effort wide.
Finally, after what appeared to be an age as he evaded the desperate attempts of several sprawling defenders, he got his reward with a goal late on.
SUBS USED:
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK (ON 30 MINS FOR KOVACIC) – 6
His confidence continued to grow and he grew into the game after replacing Kovacic.
At times looked like a Rolls-Royce floating across the grass with the ball at his feet, just needs more end product.
CESAR AZPILICUETA (ON FOR JAMES 78 MINS) – 5
Slipped straight in down the right and enjoyed an easy run-out.
HAKIM ZIYECH (ON FOR PULISIC 78 MINS) – 5
Extra minutes in the legs but had little chance to make an impact, although he did curl a late effort wide. More

MATEO KOVACIC is a major doubt for the FA Cup Final after he was on the receiving end of a shocking challenge by Dan James.The Chelsea star was clattered by Leeds’ former Manchester United man just 24 minutes into Wednesday’s 3-0 Premier League win.
Mateo Kovacic is a major doubt for the FA Cup Final after a shocking Dan James challengeCredit: Reuters
The Leeds winger was sent off after a lunging tackle on the Blues midfielderCredit: Rex

The Croatian international, 28, was floored as the Welsh forward launched an X-rated two-footed lunge at him.
As the Elland Road crowd roared their approval, those cheers soon turned to outrage as the referee instantly waved a red card.
James looked shocked, but the official was in no doubt that he had witnessed a wild and dangerous two-footed lunge as Kovacic rolled around in agony.
And once VAR confirmed it, the Leeds man trudged off the field as the Blues ace received treatment.
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Kovacic was able to walk to the touchline with the help of the club physio before making his way back onto the field.
And his return was met by a huge chorus of boos as he turned into public enemy No1.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek had been sent out for a warm-up throughout the injury delay, but no sooner had he stuck his tracksuit top back on after getting stripped was it back off.
Kovacic played on for just a few moments before he fell to the ground again inside the centre circle and signalled to come off with the England international taking his place.

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Kovacic was then met by a tirade of abuse as he reached the dug-out, which was greeted with a smile, before he limped back down the tunnel with an ice pack strapped to his left ankle.
It capped a disastrous start for Jesse Marsch’s side in their fight to beat the drop after Mason Mount had given Chelsea the lead in less than four minutes.
But it could also prove to be a nightmare for Kovacic with Saturday’s FA Cup Final fast-approaching.
The star is now in a race against time to make sure he recovers for the showpiece against Liverpool.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said afterwards: “I tell you not as a coach and not as an expert, but for me it is very unlikely.
“It was a swollen ankle and he is in a lot of pain.
“For me, I am not a doctor and we need to wait for the examinations, but it is very unlikely he can play. It is absolutely bad news for us on a perfect evening.”
Kovacic had an ice pack strapped to his ankle as he limped down the tunnelCredit: Getty More