Chelsea edge Tottenham in thrilling FA Cup semi

Monday, 24 April 2017 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Chelsea’s Eden Hazard celebrates scoring their third goal with Diego Costa - Reuters

Reuters: Late goals from Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matric settled a rip-roaring FA Cup semi-final 4-2 in Chelsea’s favour over title rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Saturday.

It was only the fourth time in the famous old knockout competition that a semi-final had featured the current top two in the top flight and it did not disappoint.

Brazilian Willian, surprisingly selected ahead of Hazard in the starting line-up, twice put Chelsea ahead in a sizzling contest, first after four minutes with a free kick and then close to halftime from the penalty spot.

Twice Tottenham roared back with Harry Kane heading them level after 18 minutes and fellow England international Dele Alli making it 2-2 with a superb finish in the 52nd minute.

Tottenham, who are four points behind Chelsea in the Premier League after a brilliant run of seven successive wins, dominated at times but their hopes of a first FA Cup final since 1991 were sunk late on by two moments of magic.

First Hazard, who replaced Willian, buried a low shot past Hugo Lloris after 75 minutes, then Matic’s 25-metre piledriver sank Spurs who have won only one of their last nine matches at Wembley and have lost seven straight FA Cup semi-finals.

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Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic celebrates scoring their fourth goal with team mates - Reuters

It was a huge win for Chelsea who have wobbled lately with two league defeats and they will face either Arsenal or Manchester City in the final when a “double” could be on offer.

“I am proud for this achievement,” Chelsea boss Antonio Conte told reporters. “This is my first season in England and it is great to fight for the title and reach the final of the FA Cup.”