FA Cup

WHEN it comes to football, rival fans never really need an excuse to root for an underdog against one of the big boys.But Chelsea will travel to Teesside today with just about everyone outside SW6 wanting to see them become the latest Goliath to be felled by Middlesbrough’s David.
Chelsea face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup this eveningCredit: GETTY
The European champions are heading into the game off the back of a win against LilleCredit: REUTERS
The ostracising of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, banned from being a director because of his links with Vladimir Putin’s war machine, would have been enough in itself to make Boro the nation’s preferred choice.
Yet the events of the past few days, with Chelsea asking the FA to prevent home fans from coming to the game, has accentuated that attitude – making it even more likely that the Stamford  Bridge outfit will encounter genuine hostility.
Not that Boro need any more of a carrot than a possible FA Cup semi-final place.
There was glee when first Manchester United and then Spurs were felled by Chris Wilder’s team.
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That, though, will be nothing in comparison to the nationwide reaction if Thomas Tuchel’s team also go tumbling.
It is not Tuchel’s fault. Indeed, amid a situation that would have been beyond many, the German has held things together with a calm, reasoned and sensible approach that few could have matched.
Tuchel even opted to criticise his own paymasters for what was seen by the vast majority as a complete mis-read of the situation when Chelsea requested the last eight clash be behind closed doors because Blues fans have been prevented from buying tickets.
In reality, Chelsea were trying to open up the Government’s eyes to the unfairness of the situation when the sanctions against Roman Abramovich have led to Blues supporters becoming the victims.
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Chelsea never expected the FA to acquiesce to the request – which was withdrawn within a few hours – but did feel they needed to make a point.
Yet it came across as misguided and maladroit, rather than as it was intended, although Boro chairman Steve Gibson’s incendiary and personal assault on some members of the Blues hierarchy was unnecessary.
Nevertheless, it has added to that latent store of anti-Chelsea sentiment, and also reminded older Boro fans of their remarkable 3-0 win over Jose Mourinho’s seemingly unstoppable champions at the Riverside in 2006.
Chelsea remain favourites, and rightly so.
After all, they are the current world and European champions, comfortably third in the Prem and into the last eight of the Champions League, with a squad worth getting on for £1bn in the open market.
Boro’s annual wage-bill might, just, pay for Romelu Lukaku to spend the next six months not getting a game for Tuchel’s team.
But against both United and Tottenham they showed real courage and commitment, riding their luck at times but also demonstrating a desire to take advantage of their good fortunes.
Completing a hat-trick of Big Six victims really would be the biggest of the lot.
The Riverside, though, has waited a long time for a night like this, and a chance like this. More

CHELSEA could be without three key stars for their FA Cup quarter-final against Championship side Middlesbrough. The Blues were without Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi for their Champions League second leg clash against Lille.
Tuchel could be without James, Christensen and Hudson-OdoiCredit: GETTY
Chalobah could start in Chelsea’s defence
And Andreas Christensen limped off in the first half.
But it didn’t stop Chelsea from scoring two on the night, winning the tie 4-1 overall to progress into the quarter-finals, where they will now face Real Madrid.
The three academy graduates are doubts for Saturday’s fixture.
Boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed: “We have Reece, Callum and Andreas Christensen uncertain.
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“They are in training but not in full training yesterday so let’s see. We still some checks to do and it can be a very tight race, maybe too close.”
With Chelsea looking to win some silverware this season, Tuchel could look to line-up strong.
Edouard Mendy could be the man in between the sticks with Trevoh Chalobah, Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva protecting him.
N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic could hold down the midfield for the Blues.
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Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso could start on the flanks.
Timo Werner could be handed some minutes alongside Christian Pulisic.
And in-form Kai Havertz may get the nod to start up front over Romelu Lukaku.
Alternatively, Lukaku could start up top and Hakim Ziyech may start on the right-hand side.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek may also be handed minutes to impress.
Alternatively, Lukaku, Ziyech and Loftus-Cheek could start More

CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel has hit out at his own club over the request to have Saturday’s FA Cup clash at Middlesbrough played behind-closed-doors.The Blues wanted there to be no fans in attendance for their trip to the Riverside Stadium in this weekend’s quarter-final tie.
Thomas Tuchel has stated it was wrong of Chelsea to ask for Saturday’s FA cup clash at Middlesbrough to be played without fansCredit: AFP
The West London outfit are banned from selling match tickets after owner Roman Abromovich’s sanctions and thought it was unfair if Boro had fans there while they didn’t.
Following a huge backlash and talks with the FA, Chelsea – who had sold around 600 tickets prior to the sanctions – eventually issued a U-turn and withdrew their demand.
Middlesbrough hit out at the Champions League holders over their request, branding it ‘bizarre’ and ‘without any merit whatsoever’.
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And now German gaffer Tuchel has criticised the club over the demand – and stated he and his players didn’t agree with it.
Speaking after Chelsea’s 2-1 victory away at Lille on Wednesday night, he said: “[The idea was] not mine or from the team.
“Let me put it like this, we love to play in front of spectators.
“And I don’t think that spectators for opponents should suffer from the consequences [of what’s going on with us].
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“So I think the proposal was withdrawn and it was absolutely the right thing to do, because that was from our side and hopefully it was not meant like this.
“It was not the very best idea to put it like this. We love to play in front of spectators.
“Me and the team were not involved in this decision and I’m happy that it was withdrawn, very happy.”
Boro are now selling the remainder of Chelsea’s ticket allocation to their own fans.
A Middlesbrough statement read: “We have an additional 3,200 tickets available to Boro fans for Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup quarter-final tie against Chelsea at the Riverside.
“These tickets have been returned to the club by Chelsea due to government sanctions.” More