A magnificent all round performance by Chelsea saw them romp to a 4-0 win at White Hart Lane. Not only did the result put Chelsea into the FA Cup semi finals but it also avenged the 5-1 Worthington Cup semi final defeat against the same opposition.
The match started at a very fast tempo and Tottenham were lucky to escape from the first 10 minutes with 11 men. First, Les Ferdinand hacked out at William Gallas only to escape witha yellow card. Then, Eidur Gudjohnsen linked up well with Manu Petit only to be brought down by Dean Richards. It was 50-50 as to whether Richards should have been sent off as players were getting back but, on this form, Eidur would have buried that chance. But Richards got off with a yellow card and Hasselbaink promptly took the free kick only for the wall to easily block it. Tottenham appeared to be unfazed by the controversy until a deep swinging corner by Jimmy caught Neil Sullivan off guard. Sullivan palmed the ball only as far as Melchiot who forced the ball to Gallas. The Frenchman knocked the ball in from a few yards out to put the Blues in front. The first half continued to produce chances for both sides but it was Tottenham who came closest to scoring. Minutes before half time, Les Ferdinand found himself unmarked only to see his header hit the post.
Chelsea started the second half brightly and it took just 3 minutes for them to add to their lead. A wonderful long ball by Le Saux sent Gudjohnsen through and he calmly slotted the ball through Neil Sullivan's legs. The Spurs players were appealing for offside but TV replays showed that Dean Richards stepped up too late and Eidur was well on side. Chelsea looked confident at this stage and easily soaked up Spurs' pressure. And it was some excellent pressing that forced Spurs into a mistake. Tim Sherwood was caught napping on the edge of his area and Graeme Le Saux took the ball off him before hitting an unstoppable drive into the far corner. Game, set and match Chelsea! The Blues continued to knock the ball around and Gallas and Desailly stood firm in defence. Everyone on the pitch in a blue shirt played their hearts out and it looked like Chelsea wanted it more. The fourth goal came in the 66th minute and it was another excellent goal on the counter attack. Chelsea cleared yet another Spurs attack and Jesper Gronkjaer flicked the ball on to Gudjohnsen. Eidur ran the ball unopposed into the Spurs half before placing the ball past Neil Sullivan. All Chelsea had to do was play out the remaining 25 minutes without doing anything stupid. But they were forced to play the last 15 without Graeme Le Saux after his ridiculous foul on Taricco resulted in a second yellow card. The rest of the match went without much incident, although Frank Lampard is lucky that he failed to make contact with Taricco, a yellow card his punishment.
So we now find ourselves in the last four of the cup. Do Chelsea have what it takes to go all the way? Let us know on the message board. One thing is for certain though- victories don't come any sweeter than this!