Man United 1-3 Chelsea: Ighalo, Abraham Fire Blank As Blues Stun Red Devils To Book FA Cup Final With Arsenal

Man United 1-3 Chelsea: Ighalo, Abraham Fire Blank As Blues Stun Red Devils To Book FA Cup Final With Arsenal

By Editor

AFCON 2019 highest goal scorer, Odion Ighalo saw 11 minute action in his team 1-3 defeat at the Wembley in the second semifinal of the Emirate FA Cup, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Fikayo Tomori was an unused substitute on Chelsea bench but Tammy Abraham was introduced into the game in the 80th minute to replace the Oliver Giroud.

The Blues led 1-0 at half-time thanks to an Olivier Giroud goal, and Mason Mount's sumptuous strike made it 2-0, before Harry Maguire's own goal late on gave the Blues a 3-0 lead. Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot to give United their consolation.

Ole Gunnar made five changes to his starting lineup, with Eric Bailly and Brandon Williams starting in defense, while Daniel James Fred and Matic came back into the lineup in midfield.

The match failed to spark in the early stages, but the Blues seemed the most dangerous for long periods.

The Blues got early chances to take the lead, first Reece James forcing a decent save from David De Gea in the 10th minute, and then Marcos Alonso failed to make good contact with a perfect cross into the box as the ball went out for goal-kick.

United too got sight of Chelsea's goal for the first time on the 31st minute as Bruno Fernandes sent a direct shot in from the free-kick but the goalkeeper prevented a goal with a quick save.

The match was delayed for more than 10 minutes as the medical team treated the injured Eric Bailly, who came off worse in a collision with teammate Harry Maguire.

The Ivory Coast defender was eventually forced off, with Anthony Martial replacing him.

The change meant United, who started with a three-man defense, retreated to the old 4-3-3 formation, with the Frenchman playing through the middle, just ahead of Fernandes, while Rashford and James played on either side of him.

Chelsea penetrated from the right wing with Willian and Azipilcueta combining well before the Spaniard delivered a lovely ball, which Giroud made minimal contact with and past David De Gea.

Despite a not-so-impressive half from both sides, Frank Lampard's charges led 1-0 going into the break.

Immediately after the break, it was 2-0, and once again, David de Gea was at fault as he failed to keep out a Mason Mount shot from the edge of the box.

The 21-year-old drove forward after receiving an accurate pass from 30 yards out, made a few strides before unleashing a shot that somehow squirmed through the Spaniard's grasp into the net.

It almost got worse on the 51st minute as Mount drifted over the left and got beyond Wan-Bissaka, with his low cross finding Giroud at the near post. His effort though went behind for a goal kick.

United then went on the offensive and caught Chelsea napping at the back, Rashford racing on the wing and coming one on one with Caballero, but his shot went inches wide of the right post.

Reece James then came close to adding the Blues' third on the 74th minute after meeting a rebound and sent in a near-perfect header, but De Gea pulled off an amazing save to deny the youngster.

It however didn't take long for the Blues to get their third, this time Harry Maguire turning the ball past De Gea and into his own net.

United however pulled one back on the 86th minute from the penalty spot, after Callum Hudson-Odoi brought down Martial in the box.

Fernandes stepped up to bury the ball into the net and give the Red Devils some hope.

Despite having six minutes of added time, neither of the teams could find another goal as Chelsea booked a final slot with a 3-1 victory.

Chelsea will face Arsenal in the final of the Emirate FA Cup on August 1.