Two unreplied goals from Romelu Lukaku in the 15th minute and Hakim Ziyech’s 31st minute goal sealed the victory for Chelsea Football Club over Championship side Middlesbrough to reach the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday.
Chelsea’s second goal from Ziyech was a superb dipping effort from the edge of the box before Lukaku was denied a second when Anfernee Dijksteel cleared off the line.
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Middlesbrough seemed to be the favourite for the fixture after knocking out Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur but luck ran out of Chris Wilder’s boys in the first 45 minutes of the game.
The lower division club showed plenty of endeavour in the second half as they looked to mount an unlikely comeback, with Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun shooting wide after a promising counter, while Duncan Watmore also sent an effort over the bar from a good position.
However, Chelsea could have grabbed a late third when substitute Timo Werner met a free-kick but Middlesbrough goalkeeper Joe Lumley did well to palm away.
Chelsea will find out who they will play in the semi-finals, which will be played at Wembley on 16 and 17 April, when the draw is made before Sunday’s quarter-final between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool (18:00 GMT).
BBC Sport
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