BOLT FROM THE BLUE
Hazard comes off the bench to make the difference for Chelsea
HERE was the contest we dared to hope for, the country’s two best teams in an exhilarating bout at this famous venue. The only regret was that it was not the final, for it would have been one of the greats.
There is a tradition of great Wembley semi-finals and this one will live long in the memory, perhaps as long as 1991 and that Paul Gascoigne goal (for Tottenham against Arsenal), even if it will be less fondly recalled by Spurs.
It even had a strike which, if not quite as astounding as that one, was one of the better moments this stadium had witnessed. Nemanja Matic settled the affair with a goal from 30 yards which will accumulate YouTube hits for years.
For Tottenham, there will inevitably be regrets. They have lost, perhaps, not just the opportunity of an FA Cup Final. Even with no points at stake, the momentum of the Premier League race shifted back again in Chelsea’s favour.
Antonio Conte had gambled outrageously, leaving Diego Costa and Eden Hazard on the bench. And yet, cometh the hour, with the game finely poised at 2-2, he could reach for stars and send them on.
Ultimately, they would be decisive — and an extraordinary FA Cup and Premier League double now looms for Conte in his first season in English football.
‘I am proud for this achievement,’ he said. ‘It is great for the players for me. This is my first season in England and it is great to fight for the title and reach the final of the FA Cup, a great competition.
‘During the season, there is a moment as a coach when you must take a strong decision. You have to take a risk. If you win, the plan worked. If you don’t, the responsibility is on you. I think today our plan worked very well.’
Without Hazard and Costa, Chelsea, you suspected, might start on the back foot. Yet they fairly flew into Tottenham, barely allowing the team famed for their pressing a moment on the ball.
Pedro simply buzzed all over the pitch. In midfield, there was a veritable heavyweight clash of tag teams — Matic and N’Golo Kante taking on Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama.
In those opening 15 minutes, the Chelsea pair overwhelmed their opponents. The balance would change but, as statement of intents go, Chelsea were utterly decisive in their early attitude.
And just five minutes in they had exerted their superiority. Pedro, set on his way by a Michy Batshuayi flick, sprinted away on goal only to be hacked to the floor unceremoniously by Toby Alderweireld. Willian and David Luiz sized up the free-kick, 20 yards out. Willian struck it and Hugo Lloris hesitated, feinting to his right as the ball flew past him to his left.
The tone was set: Chelsea dominant, Spurs in retreat. And yet, in a moment, the momentum would switch. From a rare Spurs foray and a corner, the ball worked its way back to Christian Eriksen. His cross was sublime but Harry Kane’s header was even better. Even if Kante had failed to close — for once — and Nathan Ake failed to mark, it was some goal.
Now Tottenham were flying forwards with wing-backs Kieran Trippier and Heung-Min Son, the space behind Chelsea exploited to the full. Conte’s team were creaking. Jan Vertonghen’s lovely cross was met by Eric Dier, who headed just wide in the 36th minute.
Chelsea gathered a degree of poise, were maintaining possession again and worked the ball out wide for Kante to play in Victor Moses. He broke dangerously into the box, yet even so there was little need for Son’s rash diving challenge. He virtually begged for Moses to fall over him, which he duly did and the penalty was awarded.
Willian stepped up once more and again fooled Lloris, pulling the ball to the goalkeeper’s right.
Neither competitor was willing to yield. And when necessary, the significant players stepped up to the mark. On 52 minutes, it was Dele Alli. Until then, he had been quieter than might have been expected. Yet when Eriksen spotted him making a run from deep, he knew precisely the ball he needed.
Somehow, with little width and minimal back-lift, the Dane delivered a ball between Luiz and
Cesar Azpilicueta with exquisite precision.
His excellent delivery was surpassed by the finish. Alli, sprinting, met the ball first time and directed it past Thibaut Courtois.
Now Spurs believed again, while Chelsea needed a lift. On the hour, it came.
Held back for the finale, Costa and Hazard were unleashed, with Batshuayi and Willian giving way.
Mauricio Pochettino responded in kind. On came Kyle Walker. Finally we had the best starting XIs, injuries notwithstanding.
Tottenham looked the stronger but no one was giving any quarter. Hazard and Costa were struggling to impose themselves and yet their threat lingered always. On came Cesc Fabregas for Pedro. Extra time loomed, yet Conte’s hand had been played.
Moses flew forward and a corner was won. Fabregas floated it goalwards and Walker headed clear but only to Hazard. A posse of Tottenham players flew at the Belgian to close him down.
Yet somehow he managed to strike through them all and past Lloris. He raced towards his fans, sliding to celebrate as his team-mates embraced him. Fifteen minutes of normal time remained.
Chelsea might have feared the onslaught. Yet, on 80 minutes, a wonderful strike settled the game.
Hazard, refusing to give up on a seemingly lost cause, chased across the Tottenham area and touched the ball to Matic.
Thirty yards out, with little danger imminent, he connected first time exquisitely. The ball flew past defenders and Lloris into the far right-hand corner.