Hazard was stunning off the bench for The Blues, and he played a major role in their win. Image: Getty
Chelsea were just too much for Tottenham, and a wonderful performance means that they will be advancing to the FA Cup final. Here are five things we learned from the encounter.
5. Remembering Ehiogu
It started off with sadness for Tottenham, and it ended the same way. Tottenham youth coach, Uho Ehiogu, died on Thursday from cardiac arrest, and the game started off with a tribute to the former player. It was a touching remembrance, and it makes you realize that life is only so short. It was a brilliant game, one that Tottenham lost, but they played their hearts out, and the effort has to be dedicated to the young man who passed away so quickly.
4. Not To Be For Tottenham
Tottenham were unable to break the 26 year wait for a spot in an FA Cup final. They showed resilience, coming back from a goal down twice, but those two wonder-goals in the second half struck a blow, and they weren’t the same team afterwards. It’s been a hard year for Tottenham — the second best in the league and most likely the second best in the Cup, but they’ll get their trophy soon enough. Who knows? Maybe it’ll even be next year.
3. Great Goals, Great Match
It was a thrilling match, one full of great goals and constant excitement. Matic’s goal was without doubt the best goal of the match, a stunning screamer that thumped off of the crossbar and bounced in. Alli’s goal was a close second. The midfielder finished well past Courtois, but the real highlight was the pass. A perfectly timed ball from Eriksen found the midfielder in full stride, and Eriksen has to be given credit for that wonderful assist. Hazard’s has to come in third. To come on and make such an instant impact is nothing short of amazing. He slotted the ball with his weak foot into the bottom right corner, and he was a huge reason that Chelsea won the game.
2. Chelsea Just Too Good
Chelsea showcased their brilliance with an excellent performance against the Spurs. Tottenham certainly didn’t play badly; in fact, their performance may have guaranteed them a win against any other Premier League side, but not Chelsea. The Blues, courtesy of their stunning roster and great coach, executed their gameplay to perfection. A couple of wonderful goals in the second half fully took the wind out of Tottenham’s sails, and it was easy from there. Chelsea sit four points ahead of the Spurs in the league, so they can’t get too far ahead of themselves just yet, but some celebration is merited.
1. Don’t Doubt Conte
Conte made full use of tactics to get The Blues the win on Saturday. His stunning decision to start Willian in place of Hazard saw the Brazilian score two goals. The Belgian’s substitution saw him contribute in another two goals as well. It was a tactical masterclass from Conte, who continues to prove that he is one of the best managers in football. Chelsea fans should be thanking the heavens that they managed to bring him in. Now they just have to figure out a way to keep him.
Chelsea XI: Courtois 6.5; Azpilicueta 6, Luiz 5.5, Ake 5.5; Moses 6.5, Kante 6.5, Matic 7, Alonso 6; Willian 7 (Hazard 61′, 7.5), Batshuayi 5.5 (Costa 61′, 6), Pedro 6 (Fabregas 74′, 6)
Unused Subs: Begovic, Zouma, Terry, Chalobah
Tottenham XI: Lloris 5.5; Dier 5.5, Alderweireld 6, Vertonghen 5.5; Trippier 6, Wanyama 5.5 (N’kodou 80′, N/A), Dembele 6, Son 5.5 (Walker 68′, 6.5 ); Eriksen 7, Alli 6.5; Kane 6.5
Unused Subs: Lopez, Wimmer, Davies, Sissoko, Janssen
Referee: Martin Atkinson
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