Chelsea on Monday knocked out holders Manchester United out of the FA Cup after defeating the Red Devils 1-0 in the quarter-finals at Stamford Bridge. Their reward is a tantalising semi-final match up with Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on the weekend of April 22 and 23. In the second semi-final, Arsenal will face Manchester City.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chelsea capitalised on Ander Herrera’s sending-off to win a hard-fought encounter and maintained their pursuit of a domestic double.
Herrera’s dismissal for two fouls on Eden Hazard gave the advantage to the Blues midway through the first half.
The brilliant N’Golo Kante fired home the only goal – his second this season, both of which have been against United. Chelsea dominated thereafter but wasted chances to add to their lead.
United, who were without forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial, produced just one clear opportunity – Marcus Rashford’s, denied by Thibaut Courtois.
Monday’s draw for the semi-final pairing took place at Stamford Bridge on Monday after the quarter-final between Chelsea and holders Manchester United.
The draw was hosted by BT Sport’s Jake Humphrey and made by FA Cup winners Ruud Gullit, a former Chelsea player and manager, and Phil Neville, the ex-Manchester United defender.
Four of the Premier League’s top six teams are now left in the competition. Arsenal beat no-league Lincoln City and Tottenham ousted Millwall. Those four clubs have won the FA Cup a combined 44 times, including 12 of the past 15. Both semi-finals will be played at Wembley on the weekend of April 22 and 23.
(NAN)
