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Monday, December 23, 2024  
20 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

Chelsea oust Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 to reach FA Cup Semi-Final

WEMBLEY (ENGLAND): Sunday’s FA cup fixture saw Chelsea outclass arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at the Wembley stadium to reach the semi final of FA cup.

First half goal from Didier Drogba and a 49th minute goal from Juan Mata led Chelsea to a comfortable lead until Gareth Bale pulled one back for his team. The lead was further enhanced in the second half, thanks to Ramires, Lampard and Malouda, each scoring a piece in the outstanding win over their London rivals.

The crucial moment was considered to be Mata’s goal which also turned out to be a controversial one as the ball was stopped before crossing the line but the referee had already adjudged it a goal.

Roberto Di Matteo was full of praise for his team stating that the performance would give them a great boost for their upcoming matches. “Although Mata’s goal was controversial, but we did not score two goals, we scored five” he further added.

The match started off well for Spurs but it was Drogba, who in the 43rd minute, controlled a perfectly timed lob from Lampard and converted into an excellent goal by holding of Central Defender William Gallas.

The second half started and Spurs were not really active to take off initially. This led Chelsea to double their lead when Drogba’s strike, denied by Cudicini, went straight to Mata and the Spaniard hit it goal-wards. The shot hit Terry and Cudicini grabbed the ball before it crossed the line, but to the astonishment of Cudicini and everybody else, the referee adjudged it a goal.

Gareth Bale pulled one back for his team, when a save from Cech went straight to him and he hit the ball towards the open goal.

The suffering for Spurs added when Ramires cleared Assou-Ekotto and finished coolly past Cudicini.

Lampard’s fantastic free-kick enhanced the excitement of Chelsea fans with Malouda adding to that with a fifth goal right at the end.

This Chelsea performance can be a great boost for them, considering their position within the Premier League. This immense performance would also imoprove their confidence as they are to face Barcelona at the Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

With their position all down in the Premier League, Chelsea are eyeing a silverware for the 2012 season and the FA Cup and the Champions League would all be an excellent compensation if the team does not qualify for a 2013 Champions League spot.