1) New Administrative Contention is Creating
José Mourinho tends to single out those he considers a threat, and Antonio Conte, the perpetual successor to his crown, is his target of choice. Having spent the buildup recommending Chelsea play a more defensive style of football than under his stewardship, and that the Premier League leaders have benefited from a lack of European football, all that dissatisfaction that has stewed since the 4-0 humiliation here in October came spilling out. The pair doesn’t have any acquaintance with each other well; however, there is needle already to their relationship. The fourth official, Mike Jones, got himself sandwiched as they shouted at each other, an exchange which made Mourinho airing his post-match complaint into the Italian’s ear back in the pre-winter feel tame. Conte had beforehand been unflappable all season.
2) Mourinho is no longer Special in these parts
He had a similar effect on some of those who as of worshipped him. The Manchester United manager, Mourinho, was at that point persuaded Chelsea’s players would ground too eagerly, when he responded angrily as Eden Hazard folded under Paul Pogba’s test, requesting sanction from the authorities. An area of the home support, fans who used to love his fits of rage, promptly gave the Portuguese with abuse, to which he responded by indicating at the pitch and showing them three fingers for the trio of titles he won while at Stamford Bridge. That gesture was repeated before the interval as the chants – “You’re not special any more” and “Judas” – flared at each flashpoint. The makeup of the home support may vary marginally for FA Cup fixture, however, the sentiment was clear. Chelsea has moved onward.
3) Real Madrid will have been on goalkeeper watch
Apparently, the two best goalkeepers in England were on show, players whose performances have drawn avaricious looks from Real Madrid. Thibaut Courtois, who had benefited from Conte ditching his policy of playing Asmir Begovic in cup games, conjured a fine block to deny Marcus Rashford, but David de Gea found life more frantic. The Spaniard responded sublimely to turn away Eden Hazard’s low attempt at an opportune time, a save made all the more exceptional, by the shot flicking off Matteo Darmian on the way. Real will have observed.
4) Pogba Powerful to Stop Stampeding Kanté
The oversimplified theory doing the rounds goes that Leicester purchased the Premier League for £5.6m, and Chelsea has now done similarly for closer £32m. Kanté’s goal, his second against United this season, capped a trademark performance where he bullied bigger men off the ball and stampeded around the pitch tirelessly. However, his display was made to look all the more noteworthy, by his compatriot Paul Pogba’s inability to wrest any control for the visitors. United’s £89m signing had begun well enough and was seriously hindered by Ander Herrera’s dismissal, however, this team is as yet qualified to demand more than he is providing at present. He has the physique, the capacity, and the presence, but to witness him surrendering possession so effortlessly – and frequently in hazardous areas – should secretly madden his chief, especially with Kanté showing what United could have had.
5) Chelsea Have Double vision
Carlo Ancelotti accomplished Chelsea’s only Premier League and FA Cup Double in his first season in control at Stamford Bridge. Presently Conte, his compatriot, and friend, can aspire to imitate that deed. This was a significant victory; for all that United will bemoan Hazard’s collapse to win Herrera his second caution. The visitors have been transformed since losing here in the league, while depleted by injury and suspension had not arrived daunted. The fierceness with which they started the contest exhibited to such an extent, and some teams have tried Chelsea on a home domain like this of late. However, Chelsea’s energy stays in place, their two-dimensional attack on silverware edging closer to fruition. They have now gone 12 games unbeaten against these opponents, and the holders are out. Conte can detect reward.
Five Things Learnt from the Match
An uncommon goal from N’Golo Kante helped Chelsea defeat Manchester United, and book their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Monday.
The France midfielder fired home from outside the box, after the break to thump out a United side who had Ander Herrera sent off in the first half.
Antonio Conte’s side joins Manchester City, Tottenham, and Arsenal in the last four, while United must proceed onward rapidly from the defeat – with their Europa League clash with Rostov on Thursday.
Manchester United Have a Kante-Shaped Hole in the Midfield
Jose Mourinho wishes he had his very own N’Golo Kante – and United will make a move to sign a player in the Chelsea star’s shape this mid-year. Everton’s Idrissa Gueye is among the names being observed by United scouts in front of the mid-year, as they look for a defensive-minded midfielder.
The Fa Cup Can, in Any Case, Be a Star Attraction
Big game, Big names. They didn’t come considerably greater than Fabio Capello, David Beckham, and Ruud Gullit, who were at Stamford Bridge for this epic showdown.
Without a doubt, previous Chelsea star Gullit had his say in regards to the two managers by saying: ‘He [Mourinho] calls Conte cautious. He’s severe about the reality he needed to leave Chelsea in light of his defensive ways.’
Both Managers Draw Out the Big Guns
Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea both played their first FA Cup ties of the season on Monday. Asmir Begovic had played every previous tie for Chelsea while Sergio Romero played for Mourinho’s side. Obviously not a night for No 2s.
The Special One Is No More…at Least Among Chelsea Fans
Any reasonable person would agree the Chelsea/Mourinho relationship is over. Reacting to some bright abuse from home support, the United boss held up three fingers – symbolizing the trio of titles he won here. Nothing keeps going forever.
Phil Jones Cheerful to Tell People What He Considers
Phil Jones isn’t one to mince his words, clearly. ‘He got it, he got it,’ shouted the United defender to the fourth official Mike Jones at the times after Ander Herrera’s red card, before making his emotions known to Antonio Conte with a blast of ‘F*** offs’.