Blues cruise to FA Cup final after Giroud and Mount inspire Londoners to 3-1 Victory over Manchester

Chelsea 3 Manchester United 1

Chelsea cruised into the final of the FA Cup following strikes from Olivier Giroud , Mason Mount and an own goal from Harry Maguire.

The visitors got a late penalty, converted by Bruno Fernandes, but in truth they were lucky to get even that.

Both managers opted for identical formations with a three at the back and wing backs, but it was the west Londoners who adapted to the changes the better.

Two goals a minute either side of half-time saw the Blues take full control of the encounter at a deserted Wembley stadium. But they controlled possession as well and had the better of the half chances in the opening period.

France World Cup winner Giroud, who looked as if he was exiting Stamford Bridge, at the turn of the year, but has taken advantage of a drop in form of Tammy Abraham, slotted home from close range - United goalkeeper De Gea appeared to be slow to react and let the ball spill from his grasp.

The ball was coming quick at the goalkeeper, but a player of his calibre, would normally be expected to prevent the goal going over the lone.

Mason Mount let fly with a daisy-cutter on 46 minutes but again De Gea let the ball slip under his body.

Maguire’s own goal, reacting to a challenge from Toni Rudiger to zip the ball past the hapless Spain stopper effectively ended the game.

Substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi needlessly gave away a penalty late on but it was nothing but a useless commendation

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard said: I’m very proud, I could not ask for more, maybe a few more goals. I was surprised they matched us in formation, but after they changed we were even better.

“We did a lot of work in the last couple of games. The players can take confidence from that performance. It was a performance full of character and personality which you could not say after te league defeat to Sheffield United.

“I hope we can replicate that performance in the last few games of the season.”

Chelsea face LIverpool in the league at Anfield on Wednesday, before finishing their campaign at home to Wolves. Then it’s back to Wembley for the FA Cup Final on August 1.