Chelsea made it to the FA Cup semi-finals with a snug 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
The guests prevented an outrage in opposition to the group that beat Tottenham and Man Utd in earlier rounds – although they had been confronted with a partisan Riverside Stadium, they’d solely managed to promote a fraction of their ticket allocation earlier than the federal government imposed sanctions on membership proprietor Roman Abramovich.
After navigating some tough spells, Chelsea had been two objectives up and ended up at half time.
Mason Mount was a continuing menace and his low cross gave virtually an early purpose for Christian Pulisic, however the American couldn’t attain the ball on the stretch. Mount repeated the trick after 1 / 4 at the top of a tremendous go from again to entrance, and this time Romelu Lukaku was in place to push residence.
The Blues then allowed Boro again into the sport by giving freely the ball and committing pointless fouls in harmful areas. However, Thomas Tuchel made a spectacular save. Hakim Ziyech struck a 30 meter free kick residence 25 minutes into the match.
Chelsea thought they’d the equalizer 9 minutes earlier than half-time when Lukaku rounded Joe Lumley and put a low end in direction of the within the closest put up, however he was brilliantly denied by Anfernee Dijksteel on the purpose line.
The second half went largely with out incident till a plethora of probabilities within the final quarter-hour. First, Lumley reacted effectively to avoid wasting substitute Timo Werner’s nod after one other good supply from Mount, and the German must have scored once more with ten minutes left however his effort was expertly blocked by veteran Sol Bamba.
Josh Coburn – the hero of the final spherical for Boro – acquired virtually a comfort, however his stable blow from the nook was repulsed by Edouard Mendy.
This is how the gamers rated when Chelsea superior to the FA Cup semi-final …
Dijksteel chases balls / Naomi Baker / GettyImages
Joe Lumley (GK) – 4/10 – Could not minimize the cross for the opener. Maybe must have executed higher with Ziyech’s shot however there was a lot of motion on the ball. Good save to cease Werner’s nod.
Anfernee Dijksteel (CB) – 7/10 – Incredible end line clearance to disclaim Lukaku a secure place. Boro’s greatest gamers at a sure distance, which makes a whole lot of restoration.
Paddy McNair (CB) – 4/10 – Struggled together with his go and misplaced two of his three air duels earlier than being pressured away injured early within the second half.
Dael Fry (CB) – 4/10 – Did not have a notably enjoyable match earlier than he was taken off at half time.
Isaiah Jones hits the deck / Naomi Baker / GettyImages
Isaiah Jones (RWB) – 6/10 – Lots of sunshine forward, Malang Sarr inflicting some actual issues. Some dazzling dribbles.
Matt Crooks (CM) – 5/10 – Struggled with various levels of success. His passing was lacking one thing.
Jonny Howson (CM) – 5/10 – Scrapped and didn’t give Ruben Loftus-Cheek a second’s peace for some time. Seemed to expire.
Marcus Tavernier (CM) – 6/10 – The greatest wanting Boros midfielder and fought effectively.
Neil Taylor (LWB) – 5/10 – Fought in opposition to Ziyech’s crafty. Subbed.
Folarin Balogun (ST) – 4/10 – Went a uncommon half probability. Subbed after making minimal impression in tough circumstances.
Aaron Connolly (ST) – 3/10 – Not in any respect concerned sufficient and subbad simply earlier than the hour line.
Sol Bamba (CB) – 6/10 – Excellent blocking to disclaim Werner, and confirmed some good footwork later.
Lee Peltier (CB) – 5/10 – On for injured Paddy McNair.
Mark Bola (LWB) – 5/10 – Got right into a couple of respectable positions, however to no avail.
Duncan Watmore (ST) – 5/10 – Lift half a probability over the crossbar.
Josh Coburn (ST) – 6/10 – Adjusted himself and did one thing totally different. Should have been inserted earlier. Forced Mendy to his solely rescue.
Azpilicueta performs the ball / Naomi Baker / GettyImages
Edouard Mendy (GK) – 6/10 – A shock begin earlier than common cup keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Sound when referred to as.
Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) – 6/10 – Drifted inside and gave one other physique in midfield. Solid as ordinary.
Thiago Silva (CB) – 7/10 – Awake as at all times and handed splendidly. Even concerned within the build-up to the premiere.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 6/10 – Actually misplaced most of his duels however was adequate with the ball at his toes. Made many recoveries.
Malang Sarr (LB) – 5/10 – Overzealous at instances, discover Isaiah Jones as a difficult buyer. Lost 4 of 5 floor duels.
Mount was the person of the match / OLI SCARFF / GettyImages
Mateo Kovacic (CM) – 5/10 – In phrases of labor. Expected to have extra management in midfield. Subbed.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (CM) – 6/10 – He virtually ended up in a expensive tangle in the primary half however recovered. Captured in possession once more shortly thereafter. Much higher after the break as a result of his ball-carrying acquired Chelsea up on the pitch.
Mason Mount (AM) – 8/10 – Influential. Operated round the corner and precipitated issues with their deliveries – together with a wonderfully low cross for Lukaku. Got a second help in the primary half with an easy ball to Ziyech as effectively.
Lukaku couldn’t miss / OLI SCARFF / GettyImages
Hakim Ziyech (RW) – 7/10 – Bright and clever. Involved within the build-up to the primary and beat the second over the goalkeeper and into the underside nook – the proper birthday current.
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – 7/10 – Early eavesdropping has hardly been concerned. Thought he had a second when he rounded the goalkeeper, however refused. Good break sport however quiet after the break.
Christian Pulisic (LW) – 6/10 – Would have scored early if he was an inch taller. Spritely however light barely earlier than subbed.
Timo Werner (LW) – 6/10 – Denied two objectives, first by a great save after which by a wonderful growth. Looked like a menace.
N’Golo Kante (CM) – 6/10 – Be on the ball and do the job anticipated of him with out problem.
Kenedy (RW) – N / A
Harvey Vale (ST) – N / A
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