Middlesbrough’s remarkable FA Cup run has now come to an end following Chelsea’s 0-2 at the Riverside Stadium. Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech sealed the win for Thomas Tuchel’s side, who are now through to the semifinal stage.
Boro’s ecstatic FA Cup run, which involved defeating Manchester United on penalties in the fourth round and scoring an extra-time winner against Tottenham in the fifth round, has now come to an end against the Blues on March 19. Chris Wilder’s side enjoyed fervent support from a raucous home crowd at the Riverside Stadium but never really looked in control of the match and ended up losing 0-2.
For Chelsea, all the attention was on the prospective new buyers of the club as the bidding process was open until 9PM on Saturday. Tuchel’s men are currently operating under a special licence from the British government, which involves several limits and restrictions following the sanctions that were imposed on Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich.
The Russian oligarch announced that he was putting the club up for sale after 19 years on March 2. However, despite the limitations on travel as well as the restrictions on them selling tickets and extending contracts, Chelsea have maintained business as usual on the football pitch.
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Tuchel’s side has won all six fixtures since Abramovich’s announcement, and their latest win secured their passage to the semifinals of the FA Cup for the fifth time in six seasons. The German manager has been playing an active role in keeping his players focused on the pitch.
“We were very focused and very serious. We showed the quality at decisive moments,”
“The effort was huge and we never let them get a foot into the door after the two early goals. It was a deserved win. Nothing we can do will change the situation and we accept that it’s not in our hands, but what is in our hands is setting an example and staying focused.”
the German said.
Lukaku opened the scoring early in the first half when Mason Mount advanced down the left and delivered a slide rule cross which the Belgian tapped home from close range.
Hakim Ziyech doubled the lead with a superb finish from the edge of the box, which flew past Boro keeper Joe Lumley.
This was Middlesbrough’s first home defeat in 10 games in all competitions, and their focus will now return to trying to make the promotion play-offs.
