The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Chelsea reach final after De Gea errors
Lampard’s men book Wembley meeting with Arsenal
David De Gea’s calamitous evening cost meek Manchester United a shot at FA Cup glory as Chelsea deservedly set up an all-London final against Arsenal.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Frank Lampard put their Premier League topfour battle on the backburner for the day as the club greats focused on securing the chance to bid for more of the sort of silverware they collected so much of during their playing days.
United had won the season’s previous three meetings between the sides but Chelsea comprehensively triumphed in last night’s semi-final, with De Gea in the firing line after his role in Olivier Giroud and Mason Mount setting up a 3-1 win.
Solskjaer could have few complaints after seeing his side’s 19-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt halt in the capital, where the United manager’s decision to change the system and make five alterations backfired.
De Gea was among those to retain their places as cup goalkeeper Sergio Romero was spurned and the United shot-stopper will have been disappointed not to prevent Giroud flicking past him after too easily beating Victor Lindelof.
That goal came 11 minutes into firsthalf stoppage time, played due to Eric Bailly having suffered a nasty-looking head injury, and Chelsea compounded matters 43 seconds into the second half at an empty Wembley.
De Gea will have nightmares about Mount’s low shot creeping past him, with captain Harry Maguire’s own goal summing up a poor performance on a night when Bruno Fernandes’ penalty proved scant consolation.
Chelsea fully deserved victory and will now face Arsenal in the August 1 final.
Lampard’s men looked sharper from the outset and Solskjaer may well point to their extra 48 hours’ rest, but his selection of tired players alongside rusty ones certainly had an impact.
The Chelsea boss toasted victory then immediately told his players to put cup success to the back of their minds.
Leicester’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham opens the door for Chelsea to claim a third-place finish, with the Blues travelling to Liverpool on Wednesday before hosting Wolves on Sunday.
Asked about facing Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the final, Lampard told the BBC: “We have several finals ahead now, and that’s one. But the league now is two finals for us coming up.”
Giroud’s 16th FA Cup goal in seven years in English football carried the 33-year-old into his fifth final in the competition, and another showdown with his former club Arsenal.
“Well I said to my boys in the dressing room I would love to win another one, it would be my fifth one,” said Giroud.
“It’s another final, another big game against Arsenal; so it’s special personally for me, but we put it to the side and we are very happy with the team performance today.”