‘Phews’ all round as Blues hold their nerve

ANOTHER win and another FA Cup semi-final for Chelsea. Was it comfortable? No. Does it matter? Same answer. Winning football matches is becoming a most welcome habit for Thomas Tuchel’s men — this victory over Sheffield United their tenth in 14 games since his arrival in January. Their unbeaten start to life under the German continued with this — albeit dicey — victory over the Blades to put them just a game away from back-to-back FA Cup finals. Sterner tests are on the horizon, not least drawing Manchester City in the semifinals, but Tuchel has swept aside all before him so far. As for Sheffield United, this was another afternoon of what could have been. Interim boss Paul Heckingbottom saw his team create enough opportunities to at least force extra-time. The first half was lacking in quality and was summed up by Oliver Norwood handing Chelsea the advantage, diverting a Ben Chilwell strike that was going harmlessly wide into his own goal. Billy Gilmour (above) impressed on a rare start under Tuchel, but the youngster will need more than the odd FA Cup cameo to press his case for a Scotland call-up in time for the Euros. After Christian Pulisic missed a good opportunity two minutes after half-time United kept within arm’s reach of their opponents — and in the 67th minute they should have levelled. John Lundstram’s cross from the right was a peach. All that was left for David McGoldrick was to direct his close-range header on target, but he watched in horror as the ball somehow went wide of goal. Rhian Brewster also squandered a glorious chance to level in the 90th minute, rashly blasting the ball inches past the near post. Seconds later, Hakim Ziyech was at the other end notching Chelsea’s second. You could almost hear the collective sighs of ‘phew’ from the Blues bench. After watching his side cruelly eliminated, former Hibs boss Heckingbottom said: ‘It’s such a sickener. We more than deserved extra-time.’