Morata and Giroud see off Saints to seal Chelsea's spot in FA Cup final

- Blunt first half -

Antonio Conte gave Olivier Giroud the nod over Alvaro Morata for the Wembley clash, after the Frenchman had bagged two goals in Chelsea’s victory over the Saints just a week earlier, while Mark Hughes went bold and started with two strikers up top.

Saints’ two-man attack didn’t threaten Chelsea at all throughout the first half, though, with Hughes’ side unable to find Shane Long and Charlie Austin in any dangerous areas.

Chelsea were the dominant side in the first period, with Southampton sitting back in their own half for the majority. Eden Hazard looked dangerous, linking up well with Willian, however for all their dominance, Chelsea weren’t much of a threat in the final third. They enjoyed 60% possession in the first half, but didn’t manage a single shot on target, and Southampton went down the tunnel after 45 minutes much happier with the score than their opponents.

- Giroud straight out of the blocks -

Chelsea found their first shot on target within the first minute of the second half, as Olivier Giroud scored virtually from kick-off. Cesc Fabregas dinked a nice ball forward, and Eden Hazard controlled well just outside the box, before laying off to Giroud. The forward did superbly, evading three or four challenges in the box and poking it past Alex McCarthy to give his side the lead. 

 

22 April 2018

- Instant impact from Morata crushes Saints -

Southampton looked much better after Mark Hughes made two changes just over fifteen minutes later. The Saints boss replaced Shane Long and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and with Nathan Redmond and Dusan Tadic, and these switches brought more balance to Southampton's play, allowing them to push for an equaliser. 

It was to no avail, however, as they were unable to find a goal in reply. Chelsea crushed their dreams of making the final in the 82nd minute, as Alvaro Morata replied to Antonio Conte's decision not to start him with a goal from the bench. The Spaniard, who had come on just one minute before his goal, rose to meet a cross from compatriot Cesar Azpilicueta, nodding past McCarthy to seal victory for the Blues. 

- Chelsea book another trip to Wembley -

Saints will feel unlucky, after having a couple of decent chances in the second half, but they didn't show enough over the 90 minutes to justify a place in the final, and they must now turn their focus to the tough fight to clamber out of the relegation zone in the league. Chelsea booked their place in the FA Cup final for a second year running, and will get the chance to make up for last year's failure when they take on Manchester United at the end of the season.

 

22 April 2018