Thomas Tuchel’s incredible streak continues as Chelsea reach the FA Cup semi-finals

They were far from their best level of fluency, but Chelsea are in the FA Cup semi-final thanks to another clean sheet against Sheffield United.

The Blues controlled possession but created few clear opportunities in the first half before Ben Chilwell’s cross shot to the back post was deflected home by Oliver Norwood’s outstretched leg.

Christian Pulisic was rejected by Aaron Ramsdale early in the second half, but the Blades then dominated the final third of the game and David McGoldrick will have nightmares about missing the target with a header from inside the six-yard box.

Thomas Tuchel’s team maintained its seventh consecutive clean sheet and one place in the last four, engulfed by a late goal from substitute Hakim Ziyech.

Talking point: Will Pulisic ever peak at Chelsea?

Pulisic should be a star in Chelsea. It came just after Eden Hazard left the Bridge and was expected to assume his mantle as the favorite of the Blues faithful. He’s talented enough to fill those holy boots and his effortless flip-flap that leaves two defenders for dead on the edge of the penalty area is reminiscent of the Belgian, although Hazard would have liked, at least in his Chelsea days, for it to match. with an ending.

He doesn’t give the impression of being a happy player. His grief over the numerous fouls that went unpunished might have contributed to his post-match sadness, but he could barely smile when they gave him the BBC’s man of the match award (possibly feeling that he would not get the nod from Eurosport). He wants to be the star man, but this will not happen at Stamford Bridge, where Tuchel’s defensive approach is much more likely to see the more risk-averse mentality of Mason Mount or Kai Havertz in their favorite position behind a leader in the end. business this season.

Injuries have undoubtedly hampered him and a free run may turn things around in the 2021/22 season, but while he’s only 22, he looks like a young man in a rush to be America’s first genuine world superstar, which You may well see him leave Stamford Bridge in the next 18 months.

Man of the match – Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)

His contribution to the first goal, spotting the opportunity to punch a hard-to-defend low ball, was the key moment and he also set up the second with a clever dinked ball inside the area that allowed Ziyech to shoot home.

He hasn’t always looked super impressive since his big move from Leicester last summer and he hasn’t been a fixture in the Champions League, but there’s probably no more balanced left-side defender in the Premier League or available to Gareth Southgate.

When the Blades went ahead in the final half hour, he made some key punts to make sure his team didn’t score against it again.

Player Ratings

Chelsea: Kepa 7, Hudson-Odoi 6, Christensen 6, Zouma 7, Chilwell 8 *, Kovacic 7, Gilmour 6, Mount 6, Pulisic 7, Emerson 6, Giroud 5. Subs: Azpilicueta 6, James 6, Havertz 6, Ziyech 7, Edge 6.

Sheffield United: Ramsdale 7, Baldock 6, Jagielka 6, Stevens 6, Osborn 7, Bogle 7, Lundstram 6, Norwood 6, Fleck 6, McGoldrick 6, McBurnie 5. Subs: Burke 6, Brewster 6, Mousset 6.

Party highlights

24 & # 39; GOAL FOR CHELSEA! A bit of bad luck for the Blades. A corner kick hit Chilwell on the back edge of the area and Chilwell hit a low cross shot to the back post that Norwood deflects with a straight leg into the net.

47 ‘ Pulisic’s brilliant feet to beat two Blades defenders on the right edge of the penalty area, but Ramsdale makes a good save with an extended right hand and then the American blows up the rebound.

67 ‘ WHAT OPPORTUNITY! A Lundstram cross drifts into McGoldrick’s path six yards away, but drifts away from the target.

77 ‘ McGoldrick does it brilliantly by beating Azpilicueta and walking the tightrope with the ball along the baseline before firing an effort that Kepa pushed far enough from Bogle.

90 + 2 ‘GOAL FOR CHELSEA! Ziyech puts things out of question. He passed the ball to Kovacic in midfield at half-time, slides the ball to Chilwell who throws a ball into the area that the Moroccan striker takes and shoots home.

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