The London Derbies do not usually deprive football fanatics. Neither did Chelsea nor Tottenham Hotspur who produced one of the most entertaining contests of 2016-17 campaign in Emirates FA Cup semifinal at Wembley Stadium. It’s been the Premier League leaders though who had the last laugh as they get closer to cup glory banking on a 4-2 triumph against Spurs and Antonio Conte is now dreaming of a double in his first season in charge.
An end-to-end encounter with such spirited display from both sets of players has raised a few talking points from this enthralling football match:
David Luiz can Defend!
A statement which might be a subject of much disbelief, but the Brazilian has been one of the best centre-backs of this campaign and quite rightly made it to the PFA Team of The Year. He evolved and flourished in the middle of Conte’s three-man defence and used his experience to contain the likes of Dele Alli, Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane on most occasions. Although they conceded twice and the Blues’ latest defensive woes have been a major concern for the Italian boss, David Luiz, once labelled as a ‘PlayStation’ defender, has incredibly become the backbone of Chelsea’s back-line.
Shining Stars of Spurs who have a Bright Future.
Mauricio Pochettino is hailed as an emerging top-class manager who is acknowledged for trusting youth. The young Argentine gaffer has not at all been thwarted by his prodigies as the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli have made Spurs look like a title-winning side after decades of mediocrity. Christian Eriksen, the Danish dynamite, has produced similar impact throughout the campaign and probably produced ‘the pass of the season’ in Dele Alli’s goal. Spurs have become an exciting side to watch for who deliver fascinating attacking football led by a majestic manager. They have a bright future ahead and not far away from becoming a regular title threat.
The Battle of Bosses and Conte’s Masterclass.
Antonio Conte upturned a derailed Chelsea campaign by changing formation and transformed them into a potential league winning side. His excellence helped his side to win a tactical battle against Spurs this evening as he outplayed his counterpart Mauricio Pochettino with his decision making and strategic changes. He started the game without two of his star players Diego Costa and Eden Hazard who had a tough time against Manchester United last week. Willian was handed a start and the Brazilian grabbed his opportunity by netting a brace.
At one stage of the game, it was all square at Wembley and Spurs were pressing hard to find the lead. Conte, quite surprisingly, subbed off Willian and replaced him with Eden Hazard. Hazard’s fresh legs and dribbling did the trick for the gaffer as the Belgian superstar made the best out of counter attacking movements and soon scored with a sublime strike and later assisted Matic who scored from a thumping left-footed hit from 25 yards. Pochettino, on the other hand, made a wrong move by introducing Kyle Walker in place of Son and the Englishman’s failure to clear a Chelsea corner led Hazard strike from the edge of the box and finish it into the bottom right-hand corner. Chelsea will meet the winner of the other semi-final between Arsenal and Manchester City in a Wembley final and are now favourites to lift the silverware following such a spirited display against their London rivals.
