Summary

  • Chelsea beat Middlesbrough to reach FA Cup semi-final at Wembley

  • Lukaku taps in on rare start after great work by Mount, Ziyech adds second

  • Semi-final draw takes place at around 17:30 GMT on Sunday

  1. Goodnightpublished at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    That's the end of this live text now, thanks for joining us today.

    See you tomorrow for the remaining three FA Cup semi-finals, two Premier League games, El Clasico and more?

    Check out the highlights of Chelsea's 2-0 win over Middlesbrough below.

    Media caption,

    FA Cup: Chelsea win at Middlesbrough to reach semi-finals

  2. Postpublished at 19:38 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Chelsea have won their past nine games against Middlesbrough, scoring 21 times without conceding.

    They only have a longer current winning run against one team, Bolton (10).

  3. 'We were decisive and focused'published at 19:34 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Chelsea

    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel to BBC One: "We were very focused and very serious from the beginning. We showed quality in decisive moments and scored two early goals which gave us a comfortable lead, but the effort was huge to not allow big chances. I'm very happy, it was a very deserved win.

    "I'm impressed with the players' focus. We accepted the [ownership] situation because we didn't cause it. It isn't in our hands, but it was important we showed the right spirit and took responsibility. This is very, very good. If you have the talent, it is a responsibility to show it."

    He added: "We saw [from Middlesbrough's Cup wins] that they were brave. We were totally aware of their strengths, of their structure. They push the wing-back on the right side up so he's almost a winger, so we adapted to that and decided to play a 4-1 [at the back, with a deep-lying midfielder] and not our usual 3-2 shape.

    "We had Malang Sarr at left-back to have a close connection with their right wing-back [Isaiah Jones] and played with the other defenders in a three against two with their two strikers.

    "That was impressive, for the guys to show the discipline and fulfil the plan. They were reliable and, within the plan, they showed the individual quality and determination that is needed."

  4. Postpublished at 19:32 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Middlesbrough lost for the first time in their last 10 home games in all competitions (W9), since a 2-1 league defeat at the hands of Preston in November.

  5. Who else is left?published at 19:29 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    So Chelsea are in the FA Cup semi-finals. Who will join them tomorrow?

    • Crystal Palace v Everton - 12:30
    • Southampton v Manchester City - 15:00
    • Nottingham Forest v Liverpool - 18:00
  6. 'Wilder has turned Middlesbrough around'published at 19:27 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Jonathan Woodgate
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    When Wilder came in, Middlesbrough were 15th in the table. He's turned it around, playing a different style of football.

    He's a Premier League manager.

  7. 'We let our football do the talking'published at 19:25 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Chelsea

    Chelsea forward Mason Mount to the BBC: "Middlesbrough have been on an unbelievable run, you've seen the teams they've beaten recently in the cup, so it was never going to be a comfortable night.

    "We didn't have many fans here tonight but I felt that we let our football do the talking. We played some good stuff, and that was the main goal for us tonight.

    "We really have that winning mentality within the group. Any competition, any game, we want to win, and we want to keep that going. It's been a tough couple of weeks but for us, as a team, we're just focused and ready to play.

    "We're so hungry for a domestic title, we just need to keep going. It's not been the best of runs for us at Wembley but we want to right that wrong. We've already had one final at Wembley this season and lost it so we're hungry to win [the semi-final]."

  8. Postpublished at 19:19 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Since making his FA Cup debut in January 2013, Cesar Azpilicueta has made more appearances in the competition than any other player (36).

    Only Olivier Giroud (28) has won more FA Cup games during this period than the Spaniard (25).

  9. 'Mount is a special talent'published at 19:16 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Alan Shearer
    Former England striker on BBC One

    Mason Mount is very good. He knows when, where and how to make those runs. He was a step ahead of everyone. That is what makes him a special talent. He's got the picture in his head already. We are very lucky that he's in our [England] team and will be for many years.

  10. 'Chelsea weren't fazed'published at 19:13 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Alan Shearer
    Former England striker on BBC Radio One

    Chelsea controlled the game, played at their tempo and never really came under any pressure. Tuchel obviously looked at what Boro did in the last round and they didn't fall for it. They played around the press and deserve to go through to the semi-finals.

  11. Postpublished at 19:12 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    In case you haven't seen them, here were Chelsea's two first-half goals which ultimately settled this game.

    Media caption,

    FA Cup: Romelu Lukaku puts Chelsea ahead at Middlesbrough

    Media caption,

    FA Cup: Hakim Ziyech doubles Chelsea lead against Middlesbrough

  12. Postpublished at 19:11 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Rob Green
    Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    We felt that Middlesbrough would have to see that first 15 minutes through to give themselves a foothold in the game. They didn't quite make it. From that point on, you felt there was no answer from Middlesbrough.

    They huffed and puffed, but as away performances go, against a team from a lower division, that's about as comfortable as you can get for a Premier League team. It was a very convincing win.

  13. Postpublished at 19:10 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Chelsea have progressed from 16 of their last 20 FA Cup quarter-final ties.

    Only Manchester United and Arsenal (both 30) have reached the final four on more occasions than the Blues' 26.

  14. Postpublished at 19:09 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Gary Rose
    BBC Sport at Riverside Stadium

    Middlesbrough fans are on their feet, applauding their players' efforts not just in this game but in their brilliant FA Cup run that saw them send out Manchester United and Tottenham.

    In the end it was a step too far but now the focus switches to trying to join tonight's opponents in the Premier League next season.

  15. Postpublished at 19:08 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Jermaine Jenas
    MOTD2 pundit & former Tottenham midfielder on BBC One

    It has been a special FA Cup campaign for these Middlesbrough players

    I'm sure they've enjoyed really testing themselves against some of the best teams in the Premier League. This game just looked like one step too far.

  16. Postpublished at 19:07 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Now Chris Wilder's Middlesbrough can focus on the Championship play-off push.

    They are two points outside the top six - with most other teams having played today in the league.

  17. FULL-TIMEpublished at 19:06 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Chelsea are into the FA Cup semi-finals.

    Middlesbrough played well but were beaten by the better team.

  18. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea

    Boro fans are still in good voice. But time is basically up.

    Middlesbrough fansImage source, Getty Images
  19. Postpublished at 19:05 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Think Kepa would have been the next choice to be honest, Nick.

  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:05 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)

    My grandmother could be in goals for Chelsea today ... not had one save to make all game.

    Nick