How they performed: Chelsea ratings after they book an FA Cup showdown with Man United
Chelsea eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Southampton in their FA Cup semi-final clash to book a return to Wembley for the final. Here is our assessment of the team.
Willy Caballero: 6
It was 25 minutes before he was called into any kind of action – easily dropping down onto a shot from range by Mario Lemina. Made a vital save to deny Nathan Remond, but soon after was lucky to win a foul after a dropping a ball virtually over the line under pressure from Charlie Austin.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 6
A quiet outing for Chelsea’s Mr Reliable, as Saints posed little threat down the left. But it was his superb hanging cross late on which gave Morata the chance to nod home the second.
Gary Cahill 6
Kept Austin nicely under wraps, for the most part, and the Chelsea skipper had few alarms. The issue of whether he plays against Man United in the final next month will be one of the more intriguing selection issues for Antonio Conte ahead of the big match.
Antonio Rudiger: 6
Given a few tests by Shane Long in sprints down the flank and had one heart-stopping moment when the Saints forward got beyond him, only for a poor touch by the Saints striker to kill the opportunity.
N’Golo Kante: 6
Usual tireless shift from the midfielder. A typically disciplined performance. Kept in the right place to disrupt what little danger Saints could produce.
Cesc Fabregas: 6
Some neat touches as he probed for openings, even if this was not one of his ‘untouchable’ days. Made way for Pedro for the last 15 minutes.
Victor Moses: 5
Still looks a subdued version of the Moses from last season and did not often look a likely source of goal assists.
Emerson Palmieri: 5
Largely peripheral and simply unable to exert the sort of influence that a suspended Marcus Alonso usually does.
Willian: 7
Clipped the top of the bar early on after a great run from Hazard, and landed a free-kick on the roof of the net. Kept the Blues on the move and was often behind the best counter-attacks. Replaced by Bakayoko just past the hour after appearing to pick up a knock.
Eden Hazard: 8
A blistering early effort just clearing the bar, followed by a dazzling run through the heart of the Saints’ defence was a statement of intent. Could have put the game to bed moments after Giroud’s opener but curled agonisingly wide after a break from Willian. Had another goalbound attempt tipped over.
Olivier Giroud: 6
Struggled to get the better of the Saints defenders in the first half – although he fashioned one decent chance for himself, volleying just wide, acrobatically. But the striker netted the all-important opener within seconds of the restart after picking his way smartly past a thicket of collapsing defenders.
Alvaro Morata: 7
Great cameo after coming on for Giroud for the final 10 minutes. Scored with a fine header, moments after coming on, and had two other chances to score against a tiring defence.
Other subs: Tiemoue Bakayoko for Willian (63 mins), Pedro for Fabregas (76).