Season 2017-18 - Semi Finals

Saturday 21^st April

Manchester United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Goals from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera saw Man United come from behind to defeat Spurs at Wembley to reach the FA Cup Final in May.

It was Spurs, who were playing at their temporary home for the season, who maybe used this to their advantage early on as they took an 11^th minute lead when a ball down the wing saw Christian Eriksen run onto it and his cross was turned home by Dele Alli at the far post.

Spurs continued to have the better of the early exchanges and their next chance saw Son’s cross just invade Harry Kane at the far post, before Kane’s lay off to Eriksen saw the latter’s scuffed effort drift just wide of the far post.

However United hit back and levelled midway through the first half when after Paul Pogba had pinched the ball off Moussa Dembele on the right wing, his ball into the box saw Sanchez send a header into the corner of the net.

Spurs so nearly retook the lead when Eric Dier saw a long range effort deflect onto the post, but it meant the sides went into the break all square.

Half Time Manchester United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1

The early exchanges of the second half were rather subdued after what had been a high tempo first half, but in the 62^nd minute United lit up this semi final tie once again as Herrera ran onto a ball rolling across the penalty area and struck a first time effort into the net, and United now had the lead.

Spurs tried to respond and saw Eriksen strike a long range effort inches wide of the United post, whilst down the other end United were looking to seal the tie and saw Pogba sting the gloves of Hugi Lloris with a decent effort at goal.

However that Herrera goal was enough for Man United to reach their record equalling 20^th FA Cup Final in May, whilst for Spurs it was more semi-final heart ache at Wembley.

Full Time Manchester United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Here are some images from the game courtesy of @ManUtd:-

Sunday 22^nd April

Chelsea 2 Southampton 0

Second half goals from Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata saw Chelsea into the FA Cup Final after they defeated Southampton on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Wembley.

Chelsea went close early on when after The Saints had lost the ball, Eden Hazard drove forward and laid the ball to Willian who cut back and struck a brilliant effort off the crossbar.

Chelsea again went close when a Cesc Fabregas ball into the box found Giroud who managed to get the ball under control but under pressure from a defender scoop the ball wide of the target.

However this was about it as chances went and the game was goalless as the teams went into the break.

Half Time Chelsea 0 Southampton 0

However in the opening minute of the second half Chelsea struck as Hazard set up Giroud who brilliantly beat two defenders before flicking the ball home and give the Blues the lead in this one.

Southampton didn’t lie down and tried to force a leveller and so nearly did when Nathan Redmond’s effort looked goalbound until the intervention of keeper Willy Caballero, and from the corner Charlie Austin looked to have forced the ball in but saw the referee blow for a foul on keeper Caballero, much to the disgust of manager Mark Hughes.

However the Blues sealed their passage into the final when a cross from Azpilicueta found Morata who planted a header into the net, and although Austin then hit the post for Southampton thereafter it was Chelsea who set up a showdown against ex boss Mourinho and his Man United side at Wembley in May’s final.

Full Time Chelsea 2 Southampton 0

Here are some images from the game courtesy of @ChelseaFC:-

So it all means its Chelsea Vs Manchester United in the Final at Wembley on Saturday May 19^th at 5:15pm and also brings together Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho who have not exactly seen eye to eye this season.  Could be fireworks on and off the pitch perhaps, but looking forward to this one, and it will be my first ever FA Cup Final too so can’t wait to taste the atmosphere in person. 

My journey began in the humble surroundings of The Old Spotted Dog in Forest Gate for Hackney Wick vs Long Melford in early August 2017, now it will end at Wembley on May 19^th, it’s been a good journey, a journey that will end between two powerhouses of the British game contesting the worlds most famous competition.