Chelsea Set to Meet Liverpool in FA Cup Final Clash

Chelsea eased past Crystal Palace in the semi-final to set up a mouthwatering showdown with Liverpool in the FA Cup Final in May. 

Despite a sterling performance from Palace, which showed enormous resilience, Chelsea emerged as the clear winners with a 2-0 victory over their London neighbours. 

This is in contrast to Liverpool’s semi-final where they had a tough battle before eventually inching past Man City with a 3-2 win.

While Chelsea were the deserved winners of the match, the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story. In the first half, Palace managed to subdue Chelsea to just a handful of half opportunities. 

The two teams remained locked in a goalless draw until the 65th minute, when substitute Loftus-Cheek scored with a deflected shot. Mason Mount added a second goal with 14 minutes left on the clock, sliding his shot in low beneath keeper Jack Butland. 

The defeat came as a heavy disappointment to Palace, who, under the guidance of manager Patrick Viera have been making real progress. But the performance overall should be commended, as despite losing by two goals, they were never overawed or outplayed by Chelsea. 

The absence of quality midfielder Conor Gallagher was a blow to the Eagles, but rules prevented him from lining up against his parent club. The Palace squad has plenty of youngsters breaking through the ranks, and with Viera's clear skills as a manager, they should do well next season and beyond.

As Chelsea and Liverpool prepare to meet in the FA Cup Final in May, both sides will be keenly aware that this will be their second time they’ve met in a final this season.

In February, the two teams both reached the Carabao Cup Final, with Liverpool winning on penalties. 

The FA Cup gives Thomas Tuchel's team the opportunity for revenge in what will be the third successive FA Cup Final for Chelsea. In the last two years, they've been beaten by both Leicester City and Arsenal, so will be hoping for third time lucky. 

Liverpool are closing in on what they hope will be a quadruple season. With the Carabao Cup already under their belt, they’re neck and neck with Man City for the Premier League title, through to the quarterfinals of the Champions League and also have the FA Cup.

If they manage to win all four, it will be even more impressive than the treble won by Man U in 1998/1998. The two clubs are bitter rivals, and Liverpool fans will view it as a real coup to get one up on their northwest neighbours. 

However, Chelsea are determined to put a spanner in the works for the Reds. The team have had to deal with turmoil and disruption within the club due to Roman Abramovich’s ties with Putin but have shown an inner steel that few would have predicted. Insiders say this is the impact of coach Tuchel who is renowned for his determination and formidable approach. Could this be the factor that helps the Blues to victory this time?