Middlesbrough's FA Cup run finally came to an end against a Chelsea side that were just too strong for the second-tier side.
Action: Chris Wilder’s team came into this quarter-final having eliminated Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and with an unchanged team from the one that defeated Birmingham City midweek.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel made several changes to his Chelsea team with Lukaku, Mount, Sarr, Loftus-Cheek, and Ziyech all starting.
The home side looked like they wanted to make a quick start at the Riverside Stadium but were caught out as Chelsea played out from the back with 15 minutes gone. Ziyech played in Mount who had acres of space on the right to play in a perfect cross for Lukaku to finish from close range.
Middlesbrough reacted well to going behind with a sustained spell of pressure but once against the Blues’ quality made them pay. Chelsea countered with Hakim Ziyech being afforded far too much space on the right again and having plenty of time to cut inside and hammer in with his left foot to make it 2-0 – goalkeeper Joe Lumley may feel like he should have done better with it.
Chelsea almost had a third minutes later when Lukaku latched on to a pass meant for Ziyech. The Belgian went past Lumley but his shot was blocked on the line by Anfernee Dijksteel.
The second half was far less eventful as the Championship side huffed and puffed to try and break down Chelsea and attempt to make a way back into the game but found it impossible to break down and superior team. Tuchel’s side were in complete control.
The Middlesbrough fans still backed their team to get something but in the end, it was an impressive cup run that was ended by a Chelsea team who have only lost once in regular time in 2022.
The draw for the semi-finals will be made tomorrow with the games scheduled to be played on the 16th and 17th of April.
Stat of the Day: Only Sergio Agüero (20) has scored more FA Cup goals than Romelu Lukaku (16) since the Belgian's debut.
Into the #EmiratesFACup Semi-Final! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BFvgZ7AiNw
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 19, 2022
0-2 | ||
Romelu Lukaku 15' Hakim Ziyech 31' |
