Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United (FA Cup Quarter Final)
This is it. It's the big one. The quarter final draw brought up a treat this year, with 2 giants of the game battling against each other with a place in the semi finals on the line. With Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal waiting in the last 4, regardless who comes out on top in this tie we are guaranteed to have 2 titanic clashes in the semi final stage of the competition.
Chelsea will go into the contest as very much the team in form. After a dismal start to the season, things looked bad for Antonio Conte and his men and it looked as if the charismatic Italian manager would not last long in West London. However, having switched to 5 at the back in what has turned into a genius move, his side have soared up the table and now find themselves in 1st place, with a 10 point advantage at the top. They're also on a 21 game unbeaten streak in all competitions, and will undoubtedly be high in confidence as they go in search of more silverware this season. United are also in good form, having gone unbeaten in 27 of their last 28 games. However, they have drawn too many of these games and consequently still find themselves in a disappointing 6th place in the league. To make matters worse for the Red Devils, they have a striker crisis with their 4 main strikers being either suspended, injured or ill for this game. It will be interesting to see what they do in order to battle these issues; will we see Marouane Fellaini take up a striker berth?
Chelsea will go into the contest as very much the team in form. After a dismal start to the season, things looked bad for Antonio Conte and his men and it looked as if the charismatic Italian manager would not last long in West London. However, having switched to 5 at the back in what has turned into a genius move, his side have soared up the table and now find themselves in 1st place, with a 10 point advantage at the top. They're also on a 21 game unbeaten streak in all competitions, and will undoubtedly be high in confidence as they go in search of more silverware this season. United are also in good form, having gone unbeaten in 27 of their last 28 games. However, they have drawn too many of these games and consequently still find themselves in a disappointing 6th place in the league. To make matters worse for the Red Devils, they have a striker crisis with their 4 main strikers being either suspended, injured or ill for this game. It will be interesting to see what they do in order to battle these issues; will we see Marouane Fellaini take up a striker berth?
Pundit's match predictions: (1 point for correct winner and 1 point for correct result)
1) James Stroud (Charlton fan - 5 points): 1-0 to Chelsea. It'll be a tight game and United will put up a fight, but without 3 of their main strikers and being forced to utilise an unwell Marcus Rashford up front, they will struggle in an attacking sense.
2=) Jordan Parslow (Manchester United fan - 4 points): 1-1 draw. The game will be a draw in normal time but Chelsea will have enough to beat their rivals 3-1 after extra time.
2=) Adrian Ross (Chelsea fan - 4 points): 2-0 to Chelsea. Manchester United are seriously depleted in attack and the Chelsea defence should be able to handle Rashford easily.
4=) James Kaye (Arsenal fan - 3 points): 3-0 to Chelsea. The lack of forward options for United and having to play an unwell Rashford will be their downfall.
4=) David Stroud (Chelsea fan - 3 points): 2-1 to Chelsea. It'll be a tense game but Chelsea will have just enough to dispose of their rivals.
6=) James Rolt (Chelsea fan - 2 points): 2-0 Chelsea. Chelsea will keep up their unstoppable form and ensure a miserable season for United.
6=) Luke Marsh (Manchester United fan - 2 points): Manchester United Win. Did not want to give an exact match prediction as he 'did not want to tempt fate'.
The teams lined up as follows:
Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso, Willian, Costa, Hazard
Subs: Begovic, Fabregas, Zouma, Pedro, Batshuayi, Terry, Chalobah
Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Valencia, Herrera, Pogba, Darmian, Mkhitaryan, Rashford, Young
Subs: Bailly, Mata, Lingard, Carrick, Blind, Romero, Fellaini
To say Manchester United are up against it is an understatement. They have to go to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have been unstoppable in recent times. They're also lacking attacking options, with Martial, Ibrahimovic and Rooney all missing for numerous reasons. Rashford has been unwell recently but starts regardless. Everything points to a Chelsea win, but will United pull off an upset and keep their hopes alive of achieving the Mickey Mouse Treble?
Kick off:
Perhaps surprisingly, Manchester United started the game much better and were preventing the home side from getting into their rhythm early on. The away side conjured up the first shot in the 11th minute, but Mkhitaryan could only drag his shot just wide from 20 yards out.
After a shaky start, Chelsea were starting to look like the team that were unbeaten in 21 and nearly took the lead in the 15th minute. Hazard turned brilliantly in the middle of the park and beat 3 men, but De Gea pulled off a fantastic save to divert the Belgian's effort wide. From the resulting corner, the Manchester United stopper pulled off an even better stop to deny Cahill from close range.
A succession of corners followed for the home side, but they were unable to capitalise on their short period of dominance. Following this pressure Manchester United were able to regain their composure, and so the game reverted back to the calm state in which the game had started.
The game was fairly even in the opening 35 minutes, but the game looked as if it would turn on its head as Ander Herrera was sent off. Hazard had been fouled countless times in the first half, and Herrera would commit one foul to many as he was given his second yellow. United players were clearly unhappy with the decision, but with United having been warned for persistent fouling just seconds prior, you could have no sympathy for the Spaniard.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was the unlucky man to get subbed off, with Fellaini coming on to fill the void in midfield.
Although Chelsea would have much of the ball for the remainder of the half, United were showing grit in defence and were preventing Chelsea from creating any real opportunities.
Half Time: 0-0
The first half was filled with controversy and Manchester United had consequently gone a man down, but they were holding firm and held on to go into the break level. Herrera would feel hard done by in getting sent off having only committed 2 fouls, but given that his team and been warned for persistent fouling on Hazard just seconds prior to receiving his marching orders, you would have to say his second booking was silly and thus he deserved to be sent off.
Regardless of the sending off, United had still put in a good first half performance. Rashford had quashed any fears that he would feel the effects of a recent illness, and De Gea was able to pull off 2 world class saves to prevent Chelsea from taking the lead. They therefore went into the break on level terms, but could they keep out the league leaders for the next 45 minutes despite being a man down?
It did not take long. Chelsea's goal came shortly after the restart but from an unlikely source. N'golo Kante! The Frenchmen is usually so influential on the pitch, but he is not known for his attacking prowess. The former Leicester man picked up the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a low driven effort at goal. De Gea perhaps could have done better, but he did not set himself properly and thus the Frenchmen's effort went past him and into the net.
Manchester United had their backs up against the wall, but could have been level through the boot of Rashford just before the hour mark. David Luiz misjudged a long ball forward and thus was caught out of position, leaving Rashford one on one with Cahill. He jinked one way and then the other leaving Cahill in his wake, but Courtois was able to save well.
Minutes later Chelsea broke and won a corner. Diego Costa found himself in the box with a free header, but he could not get good contact on his effort and the ball went wide via his shoulder with the goal gaping.
The game was heating up and Chelsea were starting to exploit United's 10 men. A superb passing move led to a chance for Willian, but his curling effort from outside of the box went narrowly over the bar.
United were now struggling to cause any threat and Chelsea were having all of the ball. Willian tested De Gea again, but the Spaniard was equal to his effort as he palmed his rising effort away. Minutes later Willian did well to beat his man on the left, but Costa could not get any contact on his cross.
United conjured up a chance of their own 8 minutes from time, but Pogba lacked the precision nor power to beat Courtois from 20 yards out.
Chelsea could not dins the goal that would kill off the tie, meaning Manchester United had hope going into added time. That hope nearly dimished with just minutes to play, but De Gea did well to save from Fabregas' goal bound shot before Rojo put in a brilliant challenge to deny him from scoring the rebound.
Nevertheless, that would be the last chance of the match, meaning Chelsea held on to progress to the semi finals of the FA Cup.
Full Time: 1-0
Manchester United looked to be up against it when Ander Herrera got sent off in the 35th minute, but despite a resolute performance they could not hold down and thus lost by a solitary goal. They would be disappointed to go out of the FA Cup given their poor league position, and if they are to add any silverware to their league cup title it would have to be in the form of the Europa League trophy. They now turn their attention to both the league and the Europa league, where they will be eyeing up a top 4 finish or a continental trophy in order to secure a return to the Champions League next season.
Chelsea were able to see off their rivals and thus progressed to the FA Cup Semi Finals. A tie against either Tottenham, Arsenal or Manchester City await, in what will undoubtedly be another tough test in their quest to win the FA Cup.
Player Ratings:
Chelsea: Courtois(7) Azpilicueta(7) Luiz(7) Cahill(7) Moses(7) Kante(8) Matic(7) Alonso(7) Willian,(8) Costa(6) Hazard(7)
Subs: Fabregas(6) Zouma(5) Batshuayi(5)
Manchester United: De Gea(7) Jones(5) Smalling(6) Rojo(6) Valencia(7) Herrera(4) Pogba(5) Darmian(6) Mkhitaryan(5) Rashford(6) Young(5)
Subs: Lingard(6) Fellaini(5)
6=) Luke Marsh (Manchester United fan - 2 points): Manchester United Win. Did not want to give an exact match prediction as he 'did not want to tempt fate'.
The teams lined up as follows:
Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso, Willian, Costa, Hazard
Subs: Begovic, Fabregas, Zouma, Pedro, Batshuayi, Terry, Chalobah
Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Valencia, Herrera, Pogba, Darmian, Mkhitaryan, Rashford, Young
Subs: Bailly, Mata, Lingard, Carrick, Blind, Romero, Fellaini
To say Manchester United are up against it is an understatement. They have to go to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have been unstoppable in recent times. They're also lacking attacking options, with Martial, Ibrahimovic and Rooney all missing for numerous reasons. Rashford has been unwell recently but starts regardless. Everything points to a Chelsea win, but will United pull off an upset and keep their hopes alive of achieving the Mickey Mouse Treble?
Kick off:
Perhaps surprisingly, Manchester United started the game much better and were preventing the home side from getting into their rhythm early on. The away side conjured up the first shot in the 11th minute, but Mkhitaryan could only drag his shot just wide from 20 yards out.
After a shaky start, Chelsea were starting to look like the team that were unbeaten in 21 and nearly took the lead in the 15th minute. Hazard turned brilliantly in the middle of the park and beat 3 men, but De Gea pulled off a fantastic save to divert the Belgian's effort wide. From the resulting corner, the Manchester United stopper pulled off an even better stop to deny Cahill from close range.
A succession of corners followed for the home side, but they were unable to capitalise on their short period of dominance. Following this pressure Manchester United were able to regain their composure, and so the game reverted back to the calm state in which the game had started.
The game was fairly even in the opening 35 minutes, but the game looked as if it would turn on its head as Ander Herrera was sent off. Hazard had been fouled countless times in the first half, and Herrera would commit one foul to many as he was given his second yellow. United players were clearly unhappy with the decision, but with United having been warned for persistent fouling just seconds prior, you could have no sympathy for the Spaniard.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was the unlucky man to get subbed off, with Fellaini coming on to fill the void in midfield.
Although Chelsea would have much of the ball for the remainder of the half, United were showing grit in defence and were preventing Chelsea from creating any real opportunities.
Half Time: 0-0
The first half was filled with controversy and Manchester United had consequently gone a man down, but they were holding firm and held on to go into the break level. Herrera would feel hard done by in getting sent off having only committed 2 fouls, but given that his team and been warned for persistent fouling on Hazard just seconds prior to receiving his marching orders, you would have to say his second booking was silly and thus he deserved to be sent off.
Regardless of the sending off, United had still put in a good first half performance. Rashford had quashed any fears that he would feel the effects of a recent illness, and De Gea was able to pull off 2 world class saves to prevent Chelsea from taking the lead. They therefore went into the break on level terms, but could they keep out the league leaders for the next 45 minutes despite being a man down?
It did not take long. Chelsea's goal came shortly after the restart but from an unlikely source. N'golo Kante! The Frenchmen is usually so influential on the pitch, but he is not known for his attacking prowess. The former Leicester man picked up the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a low driven effort at goal. De Gea perhaps could have done better, but he did not set himself properly and thus the Frenchmen's effort went past him and into the net.
Manchester United had their backs up against the wall, but could have been level through the boot of Rashford just before the hour mark. David Luiz misjudged a long ball forward and thus was caught out of position, leaving Rashford one on one with Cahill. He jinked one way and then the other leaving Cahill in his wake, but Courtois was able to save well.
Minutes later Chelsea broke and won a corner. Diego Costa found himself in the box with a free header, but he could not get good contact on his effort and the ball went wide via his shoulder with the goal gaping.
The game was heating up and Chelsea were starting to exploit United's 10 men. A superb passing move led to a chance for Willian, but his curling effort from outside of the box went narrowly over the bar.
United were now struggling to cause any threat and Chelsea were having all of the ball. Willian tested De Gea again, but the Spaniard was equal to his effort as he palmed his rising effort away. Minutes later Willian did well to beat his man on the left, but Costa could not get any contact on his cross.
United conjured up a chance of their own 8 minutes from time, but Pogba lacked the precision nor power to beat Courtois from 20 yards out.
Chelsea could not dins the goal that would kill off the tie, meaning Manchester United had hope going into added time. That hope nearly dimished with just minutes to play, but De Gea did well to save from Fabregas' goal bound shot before Rojo put in a brilliant challenge to deny him from scoring the rebound.
Nevertheless, that would be the last chance of the match, meaning Chelsea held on to progress to the semi finals of the FA Cup.
Full Time: 1-0
Manchester United looked to be up against it when Ander Herrera got sent off in the 35th minute, but despite a resolute performance they could not hold down and thus lost by a solitary goal. They would be disappointed to go out of the FA Cup given their poor league position, and if they are to add any silverware to their league cup title it would have to be in the form of the Europa League trophy. They now turn their attention to both the league and the Europa league, where they will be eyeing up a top 4 finish or a continental trophy in order to secure a return to the Champions League next season.
Chelsea were able to see off their rivals and thus progressed to the FA Cup Semi Finals. A tie against either Tottenham, Arsenal or Manchester City await, in what will undoubtedly be another tough test in their quest to win the FA Cup.
Player Ratings:
Chelsea: Courtois(7) Azpilicueta(7) Luiz(7) Cahill(7) Moses(7) Kante(8) Matic(7) Alonso(7) Willian,(8) Costa(6) Hazard(7)
Subs: Fabregas(6) Zouma(5) Batshuayi(5)
Manchester United: De Gea(7) Jones(5) Smalling(6) Rojo(6) Valencia(7) Herrera(4) Pogba(5) Darmian(6) Mkhitaryan(5) Rashford(6) Young(5)
Subs: Lingard(6) Fellaini(5)
Man of the match: N'golo Kante
Honourable mention: Willian
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