Eden Hazard first-half penalty sealed the win
The former EPL Champions have won eighth FA Cup
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte may still depart regardless of the victory
Manchester United finish the season without silverware
Jose Mourinho has suffered his 3rd loss as United manager against his former side
FA CUP FINAL 2018
The former EPL Champions have won eighth FA Cup
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte may still depart regardless of the victory
Manchester United finish the season without silverware
Jose Mourinho has suffered his 3rd loss as United manager against his former side
FA CUP FINAL 2018
Tonight, Wembley Stadium plays host to another classic FA Cup final as fierce Premier League rivals Chelsea take on Manchester United with both sides looking for their first and only piece of silverware this season.
Chelsea, the former PL Champions haven't had the best of domestic campaigns this season, finishing 5th and failing to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League. Without any trophy, their hope now rests on the FA Cup, a competition last won by the Blues in 2012 and now enter their second straight final.
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| Chelsea's last FA Cup triumph in 2012 |
Manchester United have also failed to win silverware this season but have finished second best in the PL to rivals Man City. They too are looking to win the FA Cup since their trophy-winning campaign back in 2016. This win will be important for everyone associated with the club and one man in particular.
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| Man United last winning the FA Cup in 2016 |
Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager will take on his former side for the 6th time as Man United manager and looks to get one better over them once again. He has previously won the competition with Chelsea in the year 2006/07.
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Semi-Final results
Chelsea Vs Southampton
Chelsea booked a place into their 2nd successive FA Cup final with a 2-0 victory over a resilient Southampton side. This also sets up a historic final against Manchester United and former manager Jose Mourinho.
With only the FA Cup left to play for, manager Antonio Conte got the correct response from his side despite a goalless first half.
With Chelsea creating the fair share of chances, a goal was soon to arrive and it did when Cesc Fabregas played a long ball which was brilliantly controlled and brought down by Eden Hazard, feeding it into the path of Olivier Giroud.
The French forward then showed neat feet, tip-toeing past 4 Southampton players to slot in the long due opener.
Giroud was then brought off for Alvaro Morata and the Spaniard didn't take too much time to settle in as he doubled Chelsea's advantage with a brilliant header which was enough to gain them progress.
Southampton came into this game as underdogs and they did play well as it was a good distraction for them from their on-going relegation battle. Perhaps, this fixture could give them the motivation they require to beat the drop.
The FA Cup is Chelsea's only chance to earn silverware this season and have now set-up a historic final with Manchester United, who are also chasing their only piece of silverware.
Mark your calendar for the 19th of May for this epic encounter!
Manchester United Vs Tottenham
Manchester United put in a dominant performance to come from a goal down and claim a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, booking a place in the FA Cup finals at Wembley. This is their 2nd final in three years.
United fell behind as early as the 11th minute when Dele Alli was unmarked in the opposition box and tapped in the perfect cross from Christian Eriksen and it seemed like United were once again in for a tough challenge.
But, the response came in the 24th minute when Paul Pogba brilliantly won the ball in the opposition half and crossed the ball onto the head of Alexis Sanchez, who scored his 8th career goal at Wembley.
Both teams had equally good chances as the first half came to a close and the same went on back and forth in the second half until the 62nd minute where United played brilliant football.
Alexis Sanchez fed the ball into the path of Romelu Lukaku who cushioned the ball into an on-rushing Ander Herrera who comfortably slotted the ball past Michel Vorm to hand United the advantage and hung on as the game came to a close.
Man United manager Jose Mourinho did what he does best, once again win a big game against big-name opposition despite the surrounding criticism. This season he has beaten Tottenham twice, and the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Man City once, which is phenomenal!
The big name players did perform at their highest level. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones kept Harry Kane silent for the whole game, Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera all put in an excellent performance on a night where they had to perform at their best.
Sadly for Tottenham, this ends another season without a trophy which will now make it 10 consecutive seasons. For the football Mauricio Pochetinno's side brings, it always seems that they can't just make it over the line when it comes to title-winning games.
FA CUP PREVIEW
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Manager Antonio Conte, rested most of his first-team players in their midweek fixture in the PL to oversee back-to-back PL wins for the first time this season. First of those wins was against their weekend's opponents when they came back from 2 goals down to win 3-2.
Marcos Alonso (suspension) is unavailable, but Willy Caballero, Andreas Christensen, Emerson, Cesc Fabregas, Willian & Eden Hazard are all in contention to start.
One player who played a crucial role in their comeback at St. Mary's Olivier Giroud may not start but could make a huge impact by coming off the bench.
Southampton:
A cup final and PL survival will be the best possible scenario that Southampton could face, although neither is guaranteed at this stage. In hopes of making it to the final, Southampton wouldn't want to face the same fate Wigan faced back in 2013 when they won the FA Cup and were relegated.
Manager Paul Lambert could give starts to academy players namely Sam McQueen & Josh Sims. Along with the pair, Sofiane Boufal, Manolo Gabbiadini. Steven Davis & Nathan Redmond could all start.
PREVIEW
Sunday
Chelsea V Southampton
Sunday's clash at Wembley is perhaps more important for one club than the other as Chelsea face Southampton for the second time in less than 10 weeks.
Chelsea were cup finalists last season will want to make it all the way and manager Antonio Conte will want to win his first and only piece of silverware this season.
Southampton is known for causing major upsets as they did last season, in the EFL Cup with shock wins against Liverpool and making it to the finals. But, now they are facing an uphill battle to stay in the top-flight and may prioritize it much more than a cup final.
Predictions
Chelsea (2-1) Southampton
Chelsea:
Manager Antonio Conte, rested most of his first-team players in their midweek fixture in the PL to oversee back-to-back PL wins for the first time this season. First of those wins was against their weekend's opponents when they came back from 2 goals down to win 3-2.
Marcos Alonso (suspension) is unavailable, but Willy Caballero, Andreas Christensen, Emerson, Cesc Fabregas, Willian & Eden Hazard are all in contention to start.
One player who played a crucial role in their comeback at St. Mary's Olivier Giroud may not start but could make a huge impact by coming off the bench.
Southampton:
A cup final and PL survival will be the best possible scenario that Southampton could face, although neither is guaranteed at this stage. In hopes of making it to the final, Southampton wouldn't want to face the same fate Wigan faced back in 2013 when they won the FA Cup and were relegated.
Manager Paul Lambert could give starts to academy players namely Sam McQueen & Josh Sims. Along with the pair, Sofiane Boufal, Manolo Gabbiadini. Steven Davis & Nathan Redmond could all start.
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| Southampton last won the FA Cup in 1976 |
For the 4 teams that still contest the FA Cup campaign, high stakes hang in the balance with a chance to earn silverware and gain European football for next season.
12 time FA Cup winners Manchester United see this season's cup campaign as the only way of earning silverware and manager Jose Mourinho would want to add a second FA Cup triumph under his name and first as United manager.
8 time FA Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur are perhaps the odds-on favorite to win the competition with the talent that they boast and especially to end a 10-year trophy drought.
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| Pochetinno, Mourinho, Conte & Hughes all looking for their first trophy this season |
Chelsea, who were runners-up in the FA Cup campaign last season also see it as their only way to win silverware this season. They have won the competition on 7 occasions.
Southampton completes the 4 teams contesting the FA Cup competition this season. They had won this competition in 1976, but this season they are facing a relegation battle in the EPL and need to sort out their priorities.
It would be safe to say that by the end of the semi-final, two teams would still have their dream of cup success in-tact with the other two heading for the exit, without any trophy this season.
Saturday
Manchester United V Tottenham
Perhaps the most significant heavyweight clash this Saturday sees Manchester United take on Tottenham with both teams determined to win their only possible silverware this season.
With both teams gunning for glory, the only question that everyone associated with United will pose is the venue of the fixture, Wembley. With Spurs' home ground undergoing expansion, they have been playing all of their home games at Wembley.
Spurs are familiar with the pitch conditions and will feel like it's a home game and some may even call them favorites after losing just twice in the PL this season and also claiming a 2-0 victory over United.
But, it is at this very ground that Spurs' FA Cup hopes came crashing down last season after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Chelsea. Also, Nemanja Matic who played for Chelsea scored a thunderous strike and this time will begin in a United shirt.
Predictions
Manchester United (1-0) Tottenham
Manchester United:
A shock home loss to West Brom at home on Sunday crowned Man City EPL champions.
So manager Jose Mourinho did say that places in the starting line-up for Saturday are open for players based on the performances mid-week against Bournemouth.
They were dominant in their 2-0 victory at Bournemouth and with most of the first team squad rested, the likes of Ander Herrera, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and most importantly Paul Pogba put in terrific performances.
Jose Mourinho has also claimed that he will be playing Antonio Valencia, Nemanja Matic & Romelu Lukaku.
There also doubt whether Alexis Sanchez should be given the start on the left wing but if he can put in the display he did at Man City, he can be crucial to United winning the fixture.
Tottenham:
Spurs were handed a 1-1 draw, midweek at Brighton and with one eye on this weekend's fixture, manager Mauricio Pochettino also rested most of his first team players.
Davinson Sanchez, Kieran Trippier, Eric Dier, Moussa Dembele & Dele Alli were all rested with a view of them starting this Saturday.
When United last met Spurs at Wembley, players such as Jan Vertonghen, Kieran Trippier & Christian Eriksen inspired them to a 2-0 win and would hope to do the same this time.
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| Tottenham last won the FA Cup in 1991 |
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