FA Cup: Chelsea edge Leeds to enter quarters; Man Utd, Liverpool also through
Conor Gallagher came off the bench to score the winner as Chelsea beat Leeds United 3-2 in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge.
Two second-half goals of the highest quality were enough to see Chelsea edge Southampton 2-0 in the second FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium, with the Blues setting up a May 19 date with Manchester United in the process.
Olivier Giroud, given the nod ahead of club-record signing Alvaro Morata, jinked past several Southampton defenders and their goalkeeper Alex McCarthy before stabbing home in the 46th minute.
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Southampton had defended with their backs to the wall for the most part of the first-half but all their good work was undone early on after the restart thanks to the brilliance of Eden Hazard and Giroud.
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The diminutive Belgian, in the midst of his most underwhelming season in the English top-flight, expertly controlled a lofted ball before laying it off for Giroud and the burly Frenchman showed how nimble he can be when the situation demands as he weaved his way past a number of challenges despite losing his balance in the end and found the back of the net.
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Antonio Conte would bring off the excellent Wiliian for Tiemoue Bakayoko as the match progressed, seemingly settling for the 1-0 win but the way the Brazilian stormed off the pitch suggested that there was more to it than meets the eye.
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In the end, the Italian tactician’s caution didn’t scupper his side’s chances as substitute Alvaro Morata would score a thumping header late in the tie to effectively end the Saints’ dream run.
Manchester United had on Saturday edged Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 to book their final berth and will go head-to-head with the Blues on May 19 in the final.
Mark Hughes’ side now need to channel their energies into Premier League survival after what has been a great run, while the West Londoners and the Red Devils battle it out to clinch one piece of silverware.
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