CHELSEA 4, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2
While Antonio Conte accepted blame for Chelsea’s defeat at Manchester United on Sunday, he can rightly take the plaudits following his side’s Emirates FA Cup semi-final win against Tottenham.
Chelsea’s manager risky team selection and bold substitutions turned out to be masterstrokes as they beat a Spurs side that went into the cup tie on the back of eight straight wins.
Conte caused a surprise before kick off as Diego Costa and Eden Hazard, two of their brightest stars, were only named on the bench as Willian and Michy Batshuayi were given starting spots.
Brazilian Willian delivered Chelsea’s two first-half goals and Hazard, who was introduced on the hour, hit what turned out to be the match-winning third. That was followed by a fourth from Nemanja Matic.
And it marked further semi final misery for Spurs as this was their seventh successive loss in the last four since 1993.
Conte’s delight was clear as he said: “To reach the final of this competition in my first season is a great achievement, not only for me, but for the players, staff and fans.
“It was a very tough game against a very strong team. I think to see this type of game in England must be proud with the intensity, and it was great for football.”
Conte explained that Hazard and Costa were sacrificed as he was looking at the bigger picture saying this is the most “crucial” week of the season.
He pointed out they play on Tuesday against Southampton who will have rested for 10 days.
“It is important to make strong decisions and take responsibility. It was not easy to decide to start without two really important players in Eden and Diego,” said Costa.
Spurs’ manager Mauricio Pocchetino believed his side dominated the game, but Chelsea were more clinical.
He explained the defeat will not derail how this “exciting” team develops in the next few years while also reaffirming their style of play.
“We will move on. The players are disappointed, but tomorrow we will working on the training ground and focus on our next game in the Premier League against Crystal Palace on Wednesday,” he said.
Nathan Ake was also preferred to Chelsea legend John Terry as cover for the injured Gary Cahill as Conte was certainly bold with the side he selected to start the game.
There was an emotional one minute’s applause before kick off in memory of Spurs’ under-23 coach Ugo Ehiogu who died in the early hours of Friday having suffered a heart attack on the training ground the previous day. The players also wore black armbands.
Pocchetino added Ehiogu’s death had hit the club hard.
He said: “It was a big shock for us all. It had a big impact as he was a person we were very close to.
“It makes you realise in real life when we are fighting to win games, it is all relative after this happened.
“Once again my condolences to his family, friends and the Tottenham family. It is a big loss for us.”
The decision to play Willian was quickly vindicated as he gave Chelsea a fifth-minute lead with a spectacular free kick.
Pedro burst through on goal to be scythed down by Toby Alderweireld just outside the box. The defender was booked and Willian provided further punishment by firing the free kick high to the left of keeper Hugo Lloris who was comprehensively beaten.
Spurs were on level terms in the 18th minute when Harry Kane glanced home a near-post header into the far corner from a cross by Christian Eriksen, goal number 26 of his campaign.
Chelsea regained the lead little over two minutes before the break when Spurs conceded a penalty after Heung-Min Son needlessly slid in and took the legs of Victor Moses before the ball just inside the box.
Willian stepped up to make no mistake from the spot, his 10th goal of the season.
Spurs were back on level terms seven minutes after the restart when Dele Alli latched on to a Mousa Dembele through ball and fired high into the roof of the net for his 20th goal of the season.
Chelsea brought on Costa and Hazard on the hour as they replaced Batshuayi and Willian.
And it proved another inspired decision by Conte as Hazard fired Chelsea back ahead in the 75th minute.
A Chelsea corner was headed out by Walker to Hazard who drilled a shot from the edge of the box low to the left of Lloris for his 15th of the season.
And it got better for Chelsea who, with 10 minutes left, added a fourth goal, a 30-yard thunderbolt from Matic, an unstoppable effort that went in off the crossbar, his first of the season.
The goal was followed by a mass exit from Spurs fans as they knew their side was beaten.
Spurs, however, kept plugging away and almost added a third goal deep into stoppage time when Kane’s low ree kick was fumbled by keeper Thibaut Courtois. The ball looked to be rolling in, but amazingly spun back into the grateful arms of the keeper.