Chelsea and Crystal Palace meet in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday afternoon, with both teams knowing that Liverpool lie in wait in the final itself. The Reds overcame Manchester City 3-2 on Saturday to reach a first final in a decade in this competition – and now their opponents for 14 May will be decided as the two London clubs clash.
The Blues saw off Chesterfield, Plymouth, Luton and Middlesbrough to reach the last four, making this the first time they have faced top-flight opposition during the campaign in the FA Cup. For the Eagles it’s the second time: they beat Millwall, Hartlepool and Stoke in the earlier rounds, before seeing off Everton in the quarters last month.
Back on the opening day of the season, the two clubs met in what was Patrick Vieira’s first game in charge of Palace; Chelsea won that day with ease but the return fixture in February was a much closer affair, Hakim Ziyech scoring a last-minute winner – the only defeat in 11 for the Eagles up until last weekend’s loss at Leicester. Follow the FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Crystal Palace below:
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
57 mins: Palace will be happy with how the game has gone up to now, but eventually they are going to have to try and score themselves. Either that or take their chances with penalties.
Chelsea are dominating the ball now, so Palace need to counter them with something which keeps Thomas Tuchel’s back line on their toes.
Dylan Terry17 April 2022 17:46
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
55 mins: Here comes the change for Palace. Jean-Philippe Mateta makes way for Jordan Ayew.
Interesting change from Vieira. Clearly feels like they will cause Chelsea problems with a more fluid front three.
Dylan Terry17 April 2022 17:44
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
53 mins: Rudiger tries his luck with an audacious attempt from 35 yards out but it’s a mile wide of the Palace goal.
Jordan Ayew is getting ready to come on as Vieira blinks first with the tactical changes.
Dylan Terry17 April 2022 17:42
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
51 mins: Best move of the game from Chelsea.
After several minutes of build-up play from the Blues it’s Loftus-Cheek who provides the killer pass in behind for Werner.
The German scampers in between Andersen and Kouyate but the latter just does enough to usher him off the ball and Butland can gather.
VAR took a look at a shove on Werner from Kouyate but nothing came of it.
Dylan Terry17 April 2022 17:42
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
49 mins: Chelsea’ lengthy spell of possession doesn’t come to anything as Ward tackles the ball out of play for a throw-in.
Chelsea probe once more as Werner and Havertz link up smartly before Mount tries his luck from distance and picks out a few fans several rows above the goal.
Dylan Terry17 April 2022 17:39
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
48 mins: Chelsea start on the front foot as they pin Crystal Palace into their own half.
The Eagles are yet to have a touch of the ball three minutes into the second period.
Dylan Terry17 April 2022 17:37
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
46 mins: Here we go then. Chelsea get us back underway.
Can we have a better game, please?
Dylan Terry17 April 2022 17:35
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
Second half coming up in a few minutes. I can guarantee you it will not get any worse than that first half.
I cannot promises it will improve, but it is simply inconceivable that there can be less opportunities.
Dylan Terry17 April 2022 17:29
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
The best chance of the half as Kouyate forces a save from Mendy before Andersen is caught offside from the rebound.
Dylan Terry17 April 2022 17:25
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
Half-time: Well, if yesterday’s semi-final was a lovely three-course meal then this one has been more of a £3 meal deal.
Very few chances in the 45 minutes as Crystal Palace have successfully nullified the creativity in Chelsea’s side.
The best opportunity fell to Palace midfielder Kouyate whose sweetly struck volley was parried away by Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea have offered next to nothing at the other end. Goalless at the break.
Dylan Terry17 April 2022 17:19