Ruben
Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount scored second-half goals to send Chelsea into
their third consecutive FA Cup final with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at
Wembley.
On a bright and warm Easter Sunday afternoon in London, substitute
Loftus-Cheek's first goal of the season (65) and Mount's composed finish 11
minutes later were enough to book a meeting with seven-time winners
Liverpool on May 14.
After a quiet and uneventful start, the best chance of the first half fell
to Palace, Cheikhou Kouyate's volleyed drive forcing Edouard Mendy into a
fine save before Joachim Andersen hit a post with the rebound but was ruled
offside.
The tie needed a moment of magic and Loftus-Cheek, who had replaced the
injured Mateo Kovacic in the 26th minute, delivered just that 20 minutes
into the second period.
Player ratings
Chelsea: Mendy (7), Azpilicueta (7), Christensen (7),
Rudiger (7), James (7), Jorginho (7), Kovacic (6), Alonso (7), Mount (7),
Havertz (6), Werner (7).
Subs: Loftus-Cheek (8), Ziyech (n/a), Lukaku (n/a), Kante
(n/a).
Crystal Palace: Butland (6), Ward (5), Guehi (7), Anderson
(5), Mitchell (6), Kouyate (6), McArthur (7), Schlupp (7), Zaha (6), Eze
(6), Mateta (6).
Subs: Ayew (6), Benteke (n/a), Olise (n/a).
Man of the match: Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell was caught on the ball and, after a couple
of quick one-touch passes saw Kai Havertz advance into the box, his
half-cleared effort was smashed home by Loftus-Cheek via a slight deflection
for the opener.
The 26-year-old, who spent the 2017-18 season on loan at Palace, punched the
air in celebration as he ended a Chelsea goal drought stretching back to May
9, 2019.
Eleven minutes later and Chelsea put the result beyond doubt. Timo Werner's
simple square ball from the edge of the box was nicked past Andersen by
Mount's first touch, the England international then burying a finish beyond
Jack Butland with his second for his 12th goal of the campaign.
After losing to Arsenal in 2020 and Leicester last year, Thomas Tuchel's
side will hope it is third time lucky at Wembley next month when they target
a ninth FA Cup title. The result also capped a successful day for the club,
with Chelsea Women having earlier progressed to their third FA Cup final in
five years after beating Arsenal 2-0.
Mount: FA Cup final is 'payback'
After losing to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final in February, Chelsea's
Mason Mount is targeting "payback" as the two sides meet again next month.
"It's definitely time for us to win a final at Wembley, it's five finals
I've lost. Now it's time to get our payback (against Liverpool)," he told
ITV Sport.
"It was a very tough game. Palace made it very difficult for us and it
wasn't easy. It took us a long time to break them down. Once we got the goal
it opened up. I was very impressed with the way they set up and played.
"I'm buzzing for Rubes, he is a top, top player. He has come on in a
difficult game and he's a big player for us."
Loftus-Cheek: I always believed in myself
Ruben Loftus-Cheek told ITV Sport: "It's been a tough road, injuries and
going on loan to find my form again, I always believed in myself and I
always wanted to play for Chelsea.
"The reason I'm still here is my mentality. I still believe in myself. I
said for many years my time will come.
"Everyone wants to play and I feel I've done well in the last couple of
games and wanted to keep the momentum. The strength in depth in the squad is
fantastic but I have to be ready to step in."
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said: "This is what he shows in training but it's
not enough, you need to show it on the pitch.
"I think he hides his talent for a long time. This is the way to go and for
him it's step-by-step and he can continue to grow in his confidence.
"It was not easy because we played three games in three different
competitions. It was very challenging physically and we are the team with
the most minutes in Europe.
"The performance was very controlled, very serious.
"I'm happy to be part of another FA Cup final. It's a huge competition. I'm
very grateful and we'll be ready."
Vieira: Fans were unbelievable
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira wants the semi-final defeat to be a
platform for his side and praised the club's supporters.
"This is the kind of game the club wants to get involved (with). We have to
keep building the team, working well, and the fans were unbelievable," he
said.
"I believe playing these kinds of games with a lot of tension will make us a
better team.
"We had chances and we didn't score, it's not just about those chances but
the decision-making as well."
Chelsea must improve for final
Sky Sports' Ron Walker:
"Thomas Tuchel defended Chelsea's laborious, turgid opening 45 minutes
against Crystal Palace in their FA Cup semi-final win by insisting it was
the only way to play against Patrick Vieira's counter-attacking team.
"This was a Palace side who sit 13th in the Premier League, with eight
league wins all season and appearing in their fifth ever FA Cup semi-final,
up against the reigning Champions League, Club World Cup and European Super
Cup holders.
"Vieira's men were also starting without their player of the season Conor
Gallagher or brightest playmaker Michael Olise, playing a shape they have
not deployed all season.
"Tuchel has little need to make excuses for himself or his side given his
achievements at Stamford Bridge since he joined 14 months ago, and the Blues
would have been forgiven for showing signs of a Champions League hangover
after their extra-time exit at Real Madrid in midweek.
"But his reasoning doesn't wash. Chelsea's tempo and intensity was lacking
throughout the first period at Wembley, and it was no coincidence that their
two goals came from quick, incisive play later on - the kind Tuchel had
suggested wasn't possible because of Palace's threat on the break.
"The proof will be in the FA Cup final-shaped pudding on May 14, when
Chelsea return to face Liverpool, hoping to avoid finishing as runners-up
for the third season in a row.
"Against a disciplined but limited Palace side, they could afford to take
their time to get their rhythm, and were given a let-off in either half when
Cheikhou Kouyate came close to scoring for the Eagles.
"A Liverpool side still on course for the quadruple, who cut Man City apart
so easily in Saturday's other semi-final, will not be so generous. Anything
approaching a repeat performance in four weeks' time would be sure to
continue Chelsea's recent FA Cup run of being always the bridesmaid, and
never the bride."
What's next?
Chelsea host Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday at 7.45pm - live on
Sky Sports Premier League. Up next for Crystal Palace is a trip to Newcastle
at the same time.
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