Chelsea advanced to the semi-finals of the FA Cup in style with goals from Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech ensuring a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
A much-changed Blue side got the game underway on the front foot and could have had an early lead through Boro defender Dael Fry who nearly put the ball into his own net.
The much-needed breakthrough came on the quarter-hour with Thiago Silva and Hakim Ziyech involved in the build-up as the latter teed up Romelu Lukaku for an easy tap in.
Chelsea doubled their advantage near the half-hour mark with Hakim Ziyech striking the ball from just outside the box to land in the far corner.
Lukaku could have added another to the tally before the break only for Boro’s Anfernee Dijksteel to make a fantastic clearance off the line.
The second period of the weekend clash at the Riverside Stadium saw far less action than in the opening 45 minutes with Chelsea in firm control of the game.
Timo Werner came close to scoring from his very first touch of the ball as he came off the bench while on the other end of the pitch, Edouard Mendy was called into action to keep out Josh Coburn’s shot with Chelsea getting past the finish line to book their semi-final berth.
