![]() The win was a tonic for eight-times FA Cup winners Chelsea after Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final exit at Real Madrid, where the holders won the second leg 3-2 after extra time but were eliminated 5-4 on aggregate. Palace's talisman Wilfried Zaha was unable to shake off his marker Reece James and make an impact, while Eberechi Eze offered little as a replacement for on-loan midfielder Connor Gallagher, who was unable to play against his parent club. Patrick Vieira's Palace had defended well to contain Chelsea until Loftus-Cheek broke the deadlock and were nearly rewarded for a gritty display, with Cheikhou Kouyate twice coming close. Mount added a crucial second just over 10 minutes later and sealed the victory for Chelsea, playing Timo Werner's ball from the edge of the box past Andersen with his first touch and beating goalkeeper Jack Butland with his second. Kai Havertz's cross from the right wasdeflected out to former Palace loanee Loftus-Cheek who hammered a ferocious shot that hit opposing defender Joachim Andersen and flew into the net for the 26-year-old's first goal of the season. ![]() ![]() I'm very grateful and we'll be ready."Īfter an attritional first hour, a patient Chelsea side finally broke Palace's stubborn resistance in the 65th minute through substitute Loftus-Cheek, who had replaced the injured Mateo Kovacic midway through the first half. "I'm happy to be part of another FA Cup final," Tuchel said.
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