Chelsea are through to the FA Cup semi-finals despite a mild performance

Thomas Tuchel brought confidence to Chelsea, no doubt about it. but there is still work to do. A totally different performance from the one against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

In the third quarter-finals match of this year's FA Cup, German manager and his Chelsea managed to get past the Premier League bottom side Sheffield United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and continue their unbeaten streak to 14 games.

Even though the possession was on the side of the Blues, they did not manage to create that many chances. All Sheffield players were behind the ball most of the game creating an almost impenetrable wall for the mixed team of Chelsea. Mount captained the team for the second time, Gilmour was in, Pulisic, Emerson, Zouma, while Werner, Ziyech and Havertz listed as substitutes.

Chelsea tried with high-intensity passing and changing the side of attack and the lead came from Sheffield United's own Oliver Norwood in the 24th minute. He scored an unlucky own goal after he deflected a shot by Ben Chilwell and the ball tricked Ramsdale to make it 1:0.

Christian Pulisic came close to scoring but should have done much better in the 42nd minute. His poor attempt from close range ended up deflected by Aaron Ramsdale.

The only shot worth mentioning by the Blades happened just moments before the half time whistle. David McGoldrick found some space for a shot after collecting the ball and unleashed a powerful shot from long distance towards the net. However Kepa Arrizabalaga taimed the ball with ease.

Pulisic was again incredibly close to doubling the lead of his team in the 47th minute but Ramsdale's cat-like reflexes stopped the American's shot.

Sheffield United were incredibly close to level the score in the 67th minute - John Lundstram crossed and David McGoldrick misses a great opportunity with his head from close in, sending the ball just wide of the right post.

Chelsea were not convincing enough and Sheffield side pressed the Blues in that part of the game. A snap shot by Oliver McBurnie from the edge of the area flew towards the left side of the goal, but Kepa Arrizabalaga produced a good save to thwart him.

Chelsea did not look like the team from the first 45 minutes and Sheffield United wanted to take advantage of that. The Blades kept pressuring the Blues back line but the Spaniard on the goal of Chelsea managed to save the net from shaking. Sheffield almost equalized in the 91st minute - the ball rebounded off the defender into the path of Rhian Brewster who immediately striked for goal from inside the box but sent it a whisker wide of the left post.

And as it usually happens, punishment came. A great pass found Hakim Ziyech in acres of space after a fine counter attack. He brought the ball under control before firing it past the helpless keeper from close range to make the final score 2-0.

FA CUP QUARTER-FINALS

Saturday

Bournemouth - Southampton 0-3 (0-2)

/Djenepo 37', Redmond 45+1', 59'/

Everton - Manchester City 0-2 (0-0)

/Gundogan 84', De Bruyne 90'/

Sunday

Chelsea - Sheffield United 2-0 (1-0)

/Norwood 24' og, Ziyech 90+2'/

20.00: Leicester - Manchester United