In a game that took an eternity to get going, it was to be Chelsea that would secure an FA Cup semi-final date with Manchester City, at Wembley.
Team News – As expected Rafa Benitez shuffled his pack following the defeat to Southampton, David Luiz was restored to the centre of defence, Ashley Cole came back in at left back, Juan Mata was back after illness forced him to miss the reference game, Eden Hazard was back and Demba Ba was preferred to Fernando Torres up front. For United, there was no Wayne Rooney or Robin van Persie in the starting eleven. The former missing from the eighteen altogether whilst Van Persie was on the bench.
First Half – Chelsea got the action underway attacking the Shed End, after the two managers did shake hands. The first twenty minutes was much ado about nothing with both teams conceding possession and neither keeper being troubled.
In fact the first major incident saw Cole pull a hamstring, on twenty-one minutes, and being replaced by Bertrand. In fact it wasn`t until just past the half hour mark that the game kicked into life when David de Gea was forced into saving a shot, with his legs, from Demba Ba. Suddenly the game kicked into life and a Ramires ball in saw a shot from Ba blocked. Ramires then had a shot saved by De Gea as Chelsea looked for that crucial opening goal.
Ramires saw a shot saved after a Hazard corner had been cleared whilst Oscar and Hazard combined well but the latter`s curling shot went wide.
United responded with a quick break, following a Chelsea corner, which saw Nani unleash a swerving shot that flew wide before Hernandez produced an effort that deceived Cech in his flight forcing the keeper to save with a trailing, outstretched leg.
As half time approached, Bertrand and Nani tangled in the box but Phil Dowd was right in waving play-on. In the minute of stoppage time announced, Mikel produced a shot that was deflected for a corner.
Second Half – If the first half was slow to get going the second was completely different with Chelsea taking the lead three minutes into the half. A wonderful ball, over the top, by Mata was reached with the outstretched boot of Demba Ba who expertly diverted it into the top corner with De Gea stranded.
Chelsea continued to apply the pressure and a Ba flick, from a Bertrand cross, was safely gathered by De Gea. The pressure was all coming from Chelsea and De Gea had to be at his best to clear a dangerous looking cross in.
But you always knew United would be dangerous pressing forward and when Welbeck delivered a stunning ball onto the head of Hernandez it had goal written all over it, but somehow Petr Cech stretched an arm out to push it up and over the bar, it was a world class save.
Sir Alex made a change bringing on Robin Van Persie for Tom Cleverley. Pushing forward De Gea produced a good save to deny Mata and half way through the half Ferguson threw on Giggs for Nani, who had been disappointing.
Hazard almost capitalised on a poor Carrick pass but when one-on-one with De Gea he screwed his shot a foot wide. Ramires then also shot wide as Chelsea upped the pressure and Mata fired wide after a short ball from Bertrand.
With the clock running down Ferguson threw on Young for Welbeck as United went for an equaliser. Van Persie had a glorious chance but volleyed high and wide after Evra and Young had combined and Chelsea were home and dry apart from four minutes of stoppage time to navigate.
In those four minutes Benitez brought on Moses for Oscar and Torres for Ba and Chelsea only had one major scare when Van Persie headed over a decent looking cross.
Wembley here we come as our marvellous FA Cup record continues.
Chelsea – Cech, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Ivanovic, Cole (Bertrand-21), Ramires, Mikel, Oscar (Moses-90), Hazard, Mata, Ba (Torres-90)
Unused Subs – Turnbull, Terry, Benayoun, Lampard, Torres
Chelsea Scorers – Ba (49)
Chelsea Yellow Cards – Bertrand, Azpilicueta, Mata, Oscar
Chelsea Red Cards – Nil
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