Manchester United reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a brilliant 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening.
The match was an encapsulating affair and the visitors were the first on the scoresheet as Ander Herrera headed in Paul Pogba’s excellent cross. The Frenchman was the man to extend the advantage in the 45th minute as he got above Antonio Rudiger to also nod in. Maurizio Sarri’s Blues pushed throughout the majority of the second-half but were not able to carve out a route back into the game as the holders were eliminated.
Positive starts from both
The match begun at a tremendous pace, with the first real chance coming the way of David Luiz. The Brazilian went close from a free-kick that saw Sergio Romero called into a good save. The United stopper had to remain alert as Pedro volleyed in the rebound but the ball was collected relatively comfortably.
United were also on the front foot in the opening stages as Herrera thundered a shot in from long range to force a diving save out of countryman Kepa. Gonzalo Higuian was then unlucky to see his header drift wide of the United goal.
Herrera nudges Red Devils ahead
Both teams continued to exchange blows throughout the opening half an hour until Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s troops claimed the lead. Pogba was released down the left side, faced up Antonio Rudiger and produced a teasing cross to the back post where Herrera had advanced unnoticed to nod the ball into the bottom corner.
The French midfielder was key once again as the Red Devils doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. Chelsea failed to deal with a loose ball that was collected by Pogba. He then released Rashford down the right flank and was able to charge into the box to get on the end of the forward’s cross and power a low header past Kepa for his 14th goal of the season.
Blues frustrated once again
Chelsea enjoyed most of the play in the second-half and really should have halved the deficit mid-way through the second-half as Eden Hazard danced into the penalty area but a fantastic block from Victor Lindelöf denied the Belgian.
Try they might, United’s defence stood firm throughout the second-period and denied the hosts any sort of space in their half. Consequently, United were able to see out the rest of the game and book their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Final Thoughts
United were fantastic in both respects of the game at Stamford Bridge. They were at their brilliant attacking best in the opening half as once again Paul Pogba wrote his name all over the match. They were made to work in the second period as FA Cup holders Chelsea tried their hardest to find a foothold. Nonetheless, Solskjaer’s men were stubborn defensively and now deservedly set up a quarter-final tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Match Report
Chelsea: Kepa (6); Alonso (5), Luiz (5), Rudiger (6), Azpilicueta (7) (Zappacosta (N/A), 82′); Kovacic (6) (Barkley (5), 71′), Jorginho (6), Kante (6); Hazard (6), Higuain (6), Pedro (6) (Willian (6), 58′).
Manchester United: Romero (7); Shaw (7), Lindelöf (7), Smalling (6), Young (6); Matic (6), Pogba (8), Herrera (7), Mata (7) (Pereira (6), 75′); Lukaku (5) (Sanchez (6), 73′) , Rashford (7) (McTominay (N/A), 90+3′).
Goals: Herrera (31′), Pogba (45′)
Referee: Kevin Friend
Yellow Cards: Matic (15′), Young (21′), Rudiger (60′), Kante (65′)
Red Cards: N/A
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