Chelsea vs Sheffield United LIVE: Result and reaction from FA Cup fixture today
The Blues are looking for two cup victories this week after easing past Atletico Madrid in the Champions League
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea host Sheffield United with both teams targeting a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
While the Blues have been riding high under Thomas Tuchel, with their unbeaten streak now stretching to 13 games after comfortably beating Atletico Madrid this week to advance to the quarter-final of the Champions League.
Blades have suffered a different experience, with Chris Wilder’s departure and relegation staring them in the face, but the FA Cup provides a welcome distraction after being thumped by Leicester last time out.
The Blues will likely shuffled the pack, as has been common under Tuchel so far, but despite the progress since Frank Lampard’s departure, the former PSG and Borussia Dortmund coach is aware he needs to find the right balance between defence and attack with more cutting edge in the final third: “We lack some precision in the final third and some goals, but we’ve never lacked the work-rate against the ball, touches in the box, shots.
“Maybe we lacked composure but that’s our fault because we work so hard against the ball. It’s about balance and I believe we have that balance in how the players feel.
“We’ll never stop to think about how to create chances, offensive solutions, where to create spaces and to accelerate our attacks. But we also think about counter-pressing.”
Follow live updates from Stamford Bridge, including build-up, analysis and reaction on a big day of football, with the final quarter-final, Leicester vs Manchester United, later on:
READ MORE:
Thomas Tuchel mocks Thiago Silva’s off-pitch celebrations during Chelsea’s win over Atletico Madrid
Is Chelsea vs Sheffield United on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch FA Cup fixture
Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd
78 mins: So close! Fleck plays the ball into the channel for McGoldrick who does ever so well to keep the ball in play and then shrug off Azpilicueta at the byline. McGoldrick eventually gets a shot away and Arrizabalaga gets a hand to the ball and tips it wide of the far post.
Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd
80 mins: The Blades are going for it. Rhian Brewster replaces Oli Norwood, Sheffield United now have three striker on the pitch but they still need to secure the equaliser. They’ve got 10 minutes or so to do it, they can’t can they?
Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd
83 mins: Thomas Tuchel’s last change sees Christian Pulisic replaced with N’Golo Kante. The Blues are trying to secure their one-goal advantage. Seven minutes plus added time to go.
Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd
85 mins: An enterprising run from Reece James sees him work the ball down the right wing before hitting a low cross into the middle of the box. Kai Havertz makes the run but Phil Jagielka beats him to the ball and heads it clear. The Blades still need to be wary, if they concede again it’s all over. Five minutes to play.
Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd
88 mins: Jayden Bogle is off, Lys Mousset on for the Blades. It’s their last ditch effort, time is running out. Two mintues of the 90 to go. Chelsea are marshalling the ball well, running down the clock. Can Sheffield United creat one more chance?
Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd
90 mins: Yes! Ben Osborn sprints forward on the left wing. He cuts the ball into the box and Kurt Zouma lunges at the ball. He taps it into the path of Rhian Brewster who puts his foot through the shot. There’s a slight deflection and the effort hits the outside side netting of the goal! Corner to Sheffield United. Three added minutes to play.
Chelsea 2 - 0 Sheffield Utd - Ziyech
90+2 mins: GOAL! It’s all over now! A long ball forward and a quick counter does for Sheffield United. Hakim Ziyech starts the move with a simple pass to Mateo Kovacic who brings the ball through the midfield. He sends it up to Ben Chilwell as Ziyech sprints into the box. Chilwell chips the ball into him and he brings it under control with his first touch before rattling it home with his second. Beautiful finish.
Chelsea 2 - 0 Sheffield Utd
90+3 mins: Full time. Chelsea are through to the semi-finals! A resurgence from the Blades over the last 15 minutes of the game almost saw the visitors get back into the match but Chelsea had enough quality to see the game through. They join Southampton and Manchester City in the next round and Thomas Tuchel remains unbeaten as the Chelsea boss.
Reaction from Christian Pulisic
Sheffield United didn’t make it easy on us - they have quality and we had to suffer a bit in the second half. But it’s another clean sheet, a good performance.
“We knew it would be a bit uncomfortable, there would always be a bit of pressure but we had to just work as a team which we did eventually.
“They’re a good defensive side, there were a couple of chances where myself and others could’ve done better but it’s a good result.
“We have a confident bunch of guys here and when you go on a streak like this we’re feeling really good and we’re feeling like we can beat anyone.”
Thomas Tuchel speaks to BBC Sport
Sounds excellent to say we’re through to the semi-finals - it was a tough match. We had a good first half where we controlled everything. We lost control in the second half, we were clearly tired. After 14 consecutive matches I could feel we were tired and we made many little faults. We were lucky to keep the clean sheet in the second half but I think it’s the first time in the 14 games we have looked tired. It’s important to go through in the cup and that was the target and we reached it.”
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