Chelsea maintained their unbeaten start to life under Thomas Tuchel with a 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
An own-goal from Blades midfielder Ollie Norwood handed the Blues, who have now reached the semi-finals of the competition for the fourth time in five seasons, the lead before Hakim Ziyech wrapped up the tie in second half stoppage time with his second goal in as many games.
But despite the scoreline suggesting that Chelsea had coasted their way to victory and registered a routine win to set-up a semi-final date with Manchester City at Wembley next month, the truth is they didn’t.
United, still reeling from the departure of popular manager Chris Wilder just over a week ago, put in an admirable performance in the second half which lacked everything but a goal. David McGoldrick, somehow, headed wide from inside the six yard box before record-signing Rhian Brewster drilled into the side-netting, just minutes before Ziyech sealed the win for the home side at the other end.
Although Chelsea, you could say, rode their luck at times, they did just enough to make it 14 games unbeaten under Tuchel and secure their first Wembley visit under his stewardship.
Reflecting on his side’s performance post-match, Tuchel said: “[Did I] expect a better performance? Yes, but now is the fourteenth match in a row and I could feel after the Atletico game that we are a bit tired, there was a big relief in the team, and that is absolutely normal.
