F.A. Cup semi-final glory for Chelsea on this day in 2010. A bout with Aston Villa ended in a 3-0 for the London side, goals via Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard earned their side a second trip to Wembley of the season.
Drogba opened the scoring after a corner wasn’t cleared by Villa. John Terry received the ball on the edge of the area to fire towards the goal of Brad Friedel. The misplaced shot landed at the feet of the Ivorian, who poached the ball into the far-left corner.
Malouda doubled the lead after a superb Michael Ballack cross found the Frenchman who finished first team after getting beyond the defence. Lampard made It three after a fine goal. The current manager received the ball from Nicolas Anelka before keeping composure to slot past a despairing Friedel.
After advancing to the final, a tie with Portsmouth awaited at Wembley, which was the 129th F.A. Cup final. The final ended with success for Chelsea. Drogba secured the trophy with a second half freekick, after Petr Cech earned his clean sheet when he saved a penalty from Kevin Prince Boateng. A 1-0 win over Pompey concluded a terrific season, with Carlo Ancelotti securing the Premier League title also.
What was Chelsea’s route to the 2010 F.A. Cup semi-final bout with Aston Villa?
Third round
Chelsea 5-0 Watford (Sturridge, 5’, 68’, John Eustace, 15’ O.G, Malouda, 22’, Lampard, 64’).
Starting line-up: Hilario, Ivanovic, Cole, Terry, Alex, Belleti, Lampard, J. Cole, Malouda, Zhirkov, Drogba.
Fourth round
Preston North End 0-2 Chelsea (Anelka, 37’, Sturridge, 47’).
Starting line-up: Hilario, Ferreira, Terry, Alex, Belleti, Lampard, Zhirkov, Deco, Sturridge, Anelka.
Fifth round
Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff City (Drogba, 2’, Ballack, 51’, Sturridge, 69’, Kalou 86’).
Starting line-up: Hilario, Carvalho, Ferreira, Alex, Lampard, J. Cole, Mikel, Ballack, Zhirkov, Drogba, Sturridge.
Sixth round
Chelsea 2-0 Stoke City (Lampard, 35’, Terry, 67’).
Starting line-up: Hilario, Ivanovic, Ferreira, Terry, Alex, Lampard, Mikel, Malouda, Drogba, Kalou, Anelka.