Chelsea 2 Southampton 0: Giroud and Morata book FA Cup final spot

Antonio Conte's substitution of Willian was booed, but the Italian's selection of Olivier Giroud paid off superbly in the FA Cup semi-final.

Published : Apr 22, 2018 21:41 IST

Olivier Giroud's wonderful goal and an Alvaro Morata header earned Chelsea a 2-0 win against Southampton on Sunday and a return to the FA Cup final.

Antonio Conte selected Giroud over Morata in attack and the France forward rewarded that faith with the opening goal in the first minute of the second half.

Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard combined superbly to find Giroud in the box but he still had a lot to do, jinking away from a series of challenges before prodding past Alex McCarthy.

Shane Long wasted a golden opportunity to grab a leveller for Mark Hughes' men, the Southampton striker's heavy first touch preventing him getting a shot on goal, while he also saw a penalty shout turned away by referee Martin Atkinson.

Conte's tactical nous has been questioned in what has been a difficult season but his decision to replace Giroud with Morata with 10 minutes to go proved a masterstroke, Morata heading in a Cesar Azpilicueta cross 88 seconds after his arrival.

The win sees Chelsea advance to a meeting with Manchester United on May 19 and the chance to avenge last year's defeat to Arsenal in the Wembley showpiece.

Key Opta stats:
- Mark Hughes is just the second manager to be eliminated from the FA Cup as manager of two Premier League teams (Stoke and Southampton) in a single season, after Glenn Hoddle in 2000-01 with Southampton and Spurs.
- Since losing 3-1 to Southampton at home in October 2015, Chelsea have gone on to win the following six games against them in all competitions – their longest ever winning streak against the Saints.
- The Blues have reached the FA Cup final in successive campaigns for the first time since 2009 and 2010, and the 13th in their history; only Arsenal (20), Man Utd (20) and Liverpool (14) progressing to the final on more occasions.
- Chelsea have won seven of their eight FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley, with their only loss coming against Manchester City in 2013.
- Olivier Giroud has had a hand in 22 goals in his 26 FA Cup appearances (15 goals, 7 assists), more than any other player in the competition since his debut in January 2013.
- Alvaro Morata has scored nine headed goals in all competitions this season; two more than any other Premier League player.
- All seven of Cesar Azpilicueta’s assists this season have come for Alvaro Morata (Premier League 6, FA Cup 1).

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