Willian scored twice with Harry Kane and Dele Alli also on the scoresheet but it was Hazard and Matic who had final say
NEMANJA MATIC booked Chelsea a spot at the FA Cup final in style with his thunderbolt strike sealing a 4-2 semi-final win over Tottenham this afternoon.
The Serb lashed home from outside the area to bring Wembley to its feet on a memorable day for Antonio Conte and Blues fans.
Chelsea started the brighter of the two and were rewarded with a free-kick after just five minutes when Pedro was brought down by Toby Alderweireld.
The Belgian was booked but things got worse for Spurs as Willian fired in the resulting set-piece with aplomb.
Eden Hazard was dropped in favour of the Brazilian and it appeared Antonio Conte was also right with his selections of Nathan Ake and Michy Batshuayi, with all three looking sharp.
However, Tottenham rallied and scored an equaliser through Harry Kane after 17 minutes.
The clinical striker stooped low to score a backwards diving header, and his goal saw Spurs step up the pressure ten-fold.
But Chelsea held on and again came out on top when Son Heung-Min fouled Victor Moses two minutes before the break.
Willian stepped up to score his second but there was all to play for in the final 45.
And Spurs again battled back to restore parity when Christian Eriksen’s sumptuous long pass was tucked home by Dele Alli with 52 minutes on the clock.
But sub Hazard made sure Chelsea took a late advantage when he found the target with 15 minutes remaining before Matic put the result beyond doubt with his stunner from distance.
Chelsea next five fixtures
Southampton (H): 25 Apr – Prem
Everton (A): 30 Apr – Prem
Middlesbrough (H): 8 May – Prem
West Brom (A): 12 May – Prem
Watford (H): 15 May – Prem
Tottenham next five fixtures
Crystal Palace (A): 26 Apr – Prem
Arsenal (H): 30 Apr – Prem
West Ham (A): 5 May – Prem
Man Utd (H): 14 May – Prem
Leicester (A): 18 May – Prem
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Chelsea: Courtois 6, Azpilicueta 7, David Luiz 7, Ake 6, Moses 7, Kante 7, Matic 7, Alonso 6, Willian 7 (Hazard 7), Batshuayi 6 (Costa 6), Pedro 6 (Fabregas 6)
Subs not used: Begovic, Zouma, Terry, Chalobah
Goals: Willian 5’, 43’ (pen), Hazard 75’, Matic 80’
Booked: Kante, Alonso
Tottenham: Lloris 5, Dier 6, Alderweireld 6, Vertonghen 6, Trippier 6, Wanyama 6 (Nkoudou 6), Dembele 6, Son 6 (Walker 6), Eriksen 8, Alli 7, Kane 7
Subs not used: Janssen, Sissoko, Wimmer, Lopez, Davies
Goals: Kane 18’, Alli 52’
Booked: Alderweireld, Alli
Star Man: Christian Eriksen
SOCIAL SAYS
THEY SAID
Chelsea goalscorer Nemanja Matic: "It was a nice goal but first of all I want to say we are very happy because we are in the final.
"When you score four goals against Spurs you have to win so I'm very happy for the team."
Chelsea goalscorer Eden Hazard: "It's always good to win this type of game, it will be my first final in five years at Chelsea and I hope to win this cup."
