- WATCH: Giroud’s fine opener
- Sub striker Morata scores within 2 mins
- Chelsea reaches 13th FA Cup Final
Chelsea will meet old pal Jose Mourinho in the FA Cup Final after beating Southampton 2-0 at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata scored the goals for Antonio Conte’s men, whose date with Manchester United comes at the same venue on May 19.
Southampton will turn its attention back to the relegation battle, four points behind 17th place Swansea City.
[ MORE: Watch full PL match replays ]
Willian hit the cross bar with an early effort as Chelsea looked very much up for the semifinal.
Olivier Giroud had a 39th minute chance zip wide of the frame, as Chelsea posted nine of the first half’s 11 shot attempts while holding 60 percent possession.
Saints would have been happy to get to the locker room at nil-nil.
[ MORE: Latest Premier League standings ]
Southampton got what they wanted out of that first half. Didn’t concede but showed little attacking intent. Totally lacking in confidence. Mark Hughes can change this formation to a 4–3-3 if he brings on Redmond and pushes Long out wide. Probably the move for the last 20 mins
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) April 22, 2018
[ MORE: Full lineups, stats, box score ]
Twenty-eight seconds into the second half: That’s when Giroud scored, with Chelsea’s first long ball knocked down by Eden Hazard on the edge of the 18 and played to the Frenchman.
Giroud cut between two Saints defenders and goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to stab home with his right foot.
Hazard curled an effort of his own wide in the 48th minute.
Saints snapped to life, and Shane Long touched around Wily Caballero but too strong to equalize at Wembley.
Nathan Redmond forced a wild save out of Caballero in the 72nd minute, and nearly claimed the corner.
McCarthy tipped a Hazard shot over the bar minutes later.
Morata put it to bed on a cross from his in-tune assist man Cesar Azpilicueta.
The finish was thrilling nevertheless, with Charlie Austin hitting the far post and Saints getting a goal line clearance at the other end.
Instant impact! Alvaro Morata comes off the bench to double Chelsea's lead with a header (obviously). pic.twitter.com/TsraN1hbFK
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 22, 2018
9 - Alvaro Morata has scored nine headed goals in all comps; two more than any other Premier League player. Bonce.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 22, 2018