Two goals in the final 15-minutes sealed a 4-2 victory for Chelsea over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley in the opening FA Cup semi-final of the weekend.
A terrific last-four encounter between the Premier League’s top-two lived up to expectations from the off.
Chelsea had named a slightly weakened side with Diego Costa and Eden Hazard starting on the bench – but it was Hazard’s replacement Willian who made the early difference.
Toby Alderweireld gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box just four-minutes in and Willian stepped up to stroke the ball into the corner – although Hugo Lloris would have been disappointed to have been beaten on his side.
#LiveBolanet HT: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham (5' 43' Willian ; 18' Kane) | Possessions: 40%-60% | Shots: 3-5 | Tackles: 10-6 pic.twitter.com/aDBGn4118t
— Bola (@Bolanet) April 22, 2017
Spurs were level, though, after 18-minutes after a brilliant deft header from Harry Kane – but Chelsea took a lead into the interval courtesy of the penalty spot.
Son Heung-min brought down Victor Moses which allowed Willian to step up and stroke home his second.
Into the second-half and Spurs stepped up and levelled again just minutes after the re-start when Dele Alli converted for close-range after a brilliant pass from Christian Eriksen to pick him out.
Spurs then on top – as Chelsea introduced Costa and Hazard, and it was the Belgian who put Antonio Conte’s side back ahead on 75 minutes as he controlled the ball and stroke home brilliantly.
But as good as Hazard’s finish as, it was nothing compared to Nemanja Matic’s blockbuster effort from 25-yards which cannoned in off bar and post to seal the win and make sure Chelsea’s bid for The Double is still on.
Chelsea are now are 8/11 to lift the cup and 10/11 to do The Double.
Spurs will now concentrate on the league as they still hold out hopes of pipping Chelsea to the title.
What… a… hit! ? #emiratesfacup pic.twitter.com/qkyuuHOrQW
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 22, 2017