Chelsea vs. Manchester United: Score and Reaction from 2017 FA Cup
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N’Golo Kante netted his second Chelsea goal as the Blues beat 10-man Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Monday to advance to the semi-finals of the FA Cup at the expense of the holders.
A fiery opening half saw United start well before midfielder Ander Herrera was sent off to give Chelsea a huge advantage for the remaining 55 minutes.
Chelsea dominated from there and Kante netted the eventual winner from long-range soon after half-time to inflict a second defeat for Jose Mourinho‘s men this season at Stamford Bridge.
Both clubs provided their lineups ahead of kick-off, with Marcus Rashford starting up front for United despite previously being a doubt because of illness:
Chelsea FC
Chelsea team tonight: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Willian, Diego Costa, Hazard. #CHEMUN
United started sharply, looking to press the Chelsea defence high up the pitch, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan dragged an effort just wide from the edge of the box after 12 minutes.
Eden Hazard then burst into life as he turned on the halfway line and drove into the box, only to see his 16th-minute low effort tipped behind by an outstretched David de Gea.
The Spanish goalkeeper then made an even better save from the resulting corner as he got down brilliantly to keep out Gary Cahill’s attempt, per Match of the Day‘s Gary Lineker:
United continued to look impressive going forward but Hazard was causing all kinds of problems when he got on the ball.
And it was two fouls on the Belgian that saw Herrera dismissed for a second booking after just 35 minutes.
It was arguably harsh on United and the Spaniard, with neither yellow card necessarily wholly deserved, per the Associated Press’ Rob Harris and AS:
Rob Harris
Herrara sent off for a second yellow card for another foul on Hazard. he…