EDGE CHELSEA TOTTENHAM IN THRILLING CUP SEMI
I am proud for this achievement,” This is my first season in England and it is great to fight for the title and reach the final of the FA Cup
Late goals from Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matric settled a riproaring FA Cup semifinal 4-2 in Chelsea’s favour over title rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Saturday.
It was only the fourth time in the famous old knockout competition that a semi-final had featured the current top two in the top flight and it did not disappoint.
Brazilian Willian, surprisingly selected ahead of Hazard in the starting line-up, twice put Chelsea ahead in a sizzling contest, first after four minutes with a free kick and then close to halftime from the penalty spot. Twice Tottenham roared back with Harry Kane heading them level after 18 minutes and fellow England international Dele Alli making it 2-2 with a superb finish in the 52nd minute.
Tottenham, who are four points behind Chelsea in the Premier League after a brilliant run of seven successive wins, dominated at times but their hopes of a first FA Cup final since 1991 were sunk late on by two moments of magic.
First Hazard, who replaced Willian, buried a low shot past Hugo Lloris after 75 minutes, then Matic’s 25-metre piledriver sank Spurs who have won only one of their last nine matches at Wembley and have lost seven straight FA Cup semi-finals. It was a huge win for Chelsea who have wobbled lately with two league defeats and they will face either Arsenal or Manchester City in the final when a “double” could be on offer.
“I am proud for this achievement,” Chelsea boss Antonio Conte told reporters. “This is my first season in England and it is great to fight for the title and reach the final of the FA Cup.”
After a resounding ovation for former England defender and Tottenham’s Under-23 coach Ugo Ehiogu who died on Friday the semi-final did not take long to ignite. Chelsea, with Diego Costa also on the bench, settled quickly and struck first.
Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld was fortunate to escape a red card when his desperate tackle ended Pedro’s marauding run, but greater punishment was exacted by Willian who curled a beautiful free kick past a flat-footed Lloris.
Chelsea swarmed around the pitch threatening a second goal but their lead lasted only 13 minutes.
Christian Eriksen’s corner was blocked but when the ball came back to the Dane he curled in a low cross and Kane, almost kneeling, feathered a delicate header beyond Thibaut Courtois for his 26th goal of the season.
As Tottenham assumed control Eric Dier went close to giving them the lead with a glancing header from Jan Vertonghen’s teasing delivery that floated wide.
Chelsea regained the lead out of the blue.