Chelsea vs Crystal Palace LIVE: FA Cup result, final score and reaction today
Relive all the action from the semi-final at Wembley
Ruben Loftus-Cheek capped his impressive comeback with a first Chelsea goal since May 2019 as the Blues defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 to reach their third successive FA Cup final.
Loftus-Cheek’s thunderbolt finish dragged the Blues out of a sluggish performance and into a 16th FA Cup final, with Mason Mount’s angled effort sealing the deal.
England midfielder Loftus-Cheek spent the 2017-18 season on loan with the Eagles, even forcing his way to the World Cup after his campaign at Selhurst Park.
But the 26-year-old showed no split loyalty in dumping his former side out of England’s premier cup competition.
Loftus-Cheek’s first Chelsea goal since the 1-1 Europa League draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on May 9, 2019 spurred the Blues on past their clear fatigue and into yet another final. Relive all the action below:
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
49 mins: Chelsea’ lengthy spell of possession doesn’t come to anything as Ward tackles the ball out of play for a throw-in.
Chelsea probe once more as Werner and Havertz link up smartly before Mount tries his luck from distance and picks out a few fans several rows above the goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
48 mins: Chelsea start on the front foot as they pin Crystal Palace into their own half.
The Eagles are yet to have a touch of the ball three minutes into the second period.
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
46 mins: Here we go then. Chelsea get us back underway.
Can we have a better game, please?
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
Second half coming up in a few minutes. I can guarantee you it will not get any worse than that first half.
I cannot promises it will improve, but it is simply inconceivable that there can be less opportunities.
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
The best chance of the half as Kouyate forces a save from Mendy before Andersen is caught offside from the rebound.
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
Half-time: Well, if yesterday’s semi-final was a lovely three-course meal then this one has been more of a £3 meal deal.
Very few chances in the 45 minutes as Crystal Palace have successfully nullified the creativity in Chelsea’s side.
The best opportunity fell to Palace midfielder Kouyate whose sweetly struck volley was parried away by Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea have offered next to nothing at the other end. Goalless at the break.
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
45 mins: There will be two minutes of stoppage time. Not sure where they’ve found that from.
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
44 mins: Christensen fouls Zaha on the halfway line and Chelsea’s brief spell of pressure ends with a free-kick for Palace.
You feel this game is almost certainly decided by a single goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
42 mins: Jorginho slides a ball inside the full-back for Mount but Guehi is across to clear and wins a throw-in for his side in the process.
All a bit frustrating for Chelsea at the moment. Palace seem to have them right where they want them.
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