Eden Hazard fired Chelsea into the FA Cup final as the Belgian's blistering strike ensured Antonio Conte's selection gamble paid off in his side's dramatic 4-2 win over Tottenham on Saturday.
Blues boss Conte
sprang a major surprise by starting with Hazard and Diego Costa on the
bench in the Wembley semi-final as he looked ahead to the Premier League
leaders' vital fixture against Southampton on Tuesday.
But
Conte's bold moves proved inspired as Hazard's replacement Willian put
Chelsea ahead early on and then restored their lead in the second half
after Harry Kane's equaliser.
Dele Alli
levelled again for Tottenham, but Conte had all the answers and, when he
sent on Hazard, the Belgian blasted Chelsea back into the lead.
Nemanja
Matic's thunderous long-range effort sealed a final date against
Arsenal or Manchester City, who meet in the second semi-final on Sunday.
Having
seen their lead at the top of the league cut to four points by second
placed Tottenham last weekend and looking vulnerable following a limp
defeat at Manchester United, this should be a huge psychological boost
for Conte's men.
They rode their luck at times but showed a decisive killer instinct while their London rivals came up short in crunch time.
Tottenham,
losers yet again at Wembley and still without an FA Cup final
appearance since 1991, need an immediate response in their midweek trip
to Crystal Palace if they are to get revenge by pipping Chelsea to the
title.
Conte's decision to pick Willian
and Michy Batshuayi instead of Hazard and Costa triggered a round of
second guessing, but it took just five minutes for the former Juventus
coach to be vindicated.
Breaking at pace, Chelsea worked the ball towards Batshuayi and his deft backheel sent Pedro surging clear.
When
the Spaniard was sent sprawling by Toby Alderweireld's lunge, Chelsea
were hoping for a more severe punishment than the yellow card shown by
referee Martin Atkinson.
But their
frustration was short-lived as Willian stepped up to exact retribution
from the free-kick, the Brazilian's superb 20-yard strike eluding
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris before nestling into the far corner.
Kane
has been the spearhead of Tottenham's impressive run this season and
the England striker's typically predatory finish drew them level in the
18th minute.
As
Christian Eriksen prepared to whip over a cross, Kane was already on the
move and his awareness gave him a valuable extra yard of space on
Chelsea defender Nathan Ake as he stooped to guide a delicate header
past Thibaut Courtois.
But, despite
controlling possession for long periods, Pochettino's side still ended
the half behind as his decision to play Son Heung-Min out of position at
left wingback was exposed in the 43rd minute.
Kante
slipped a pass to Victor Moses and when the Nigerian's surge into the
penalty area was halted by Son's rash tackle Atkinson gave the penalty
on the advice of his linesman.
Batshuayi wanted to take it, but Conte demanded Willian step up and he stroked home the spot-kick in confident style.
It could have been a major momentum changer, yet Tottenham were level again in the 52nd minute.
Barely
looking up as he received the ball, Eriksen unfurled a majestic pass
towards Alli, who timed his run perfectly to slide in front of Luiz and
direct a close-range finish past Courtois.
Conte
responded by sending for the cavalry as Costa and Hazard came on for
Willian and Batshuayi in the 61st minute, while Cesc Fabregas was
introduced soon after.
Once again, Conte's instincts were spot on and the Italian's changes brought the winner in the 75th minute.
Fabregas's
corner was only partially cleared and Hazard seized the ball just
inside the area before drilling a blistering finish beyond Lloris.
If
that was a memorable strike, there was even better to come five minutes
later when Hazard teed up Matic and Serb's thunderous 30-yard rocket
sent Chelsea into raptures.
