N’Golo Kante scored the only goal, as Chelsea defeated Manchester United 1-0 in their FA Cup quarter-final clash on Monday night at Stamford Bridge.
The tie was evenly balanced in the first half, with Jose Mourinho able to name a recognised striker in Marcus Rashford, after a number of injuries.
José Mourinho’s men made a decent start, but once the hosts came alive and Ander Herrera saw red, the Blues had the upper hand from there on in.
A Marcus Rashford run and shot aside, the 10-man visitors were unable to create much of real note, and N’Golo Kanté’s second-half strike was enough to send his side into the last four, where they’ll face city rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Runaway Premier League leaders’ Chelsea’s reward was a Wembley clash with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, while the other semifinal will be between Arsenal and Manchester City.
United, who face a Europa League last 16 tie on Thursday against Russian club Rostov, were missing the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic and injured Wayne Rooney and offered little threat once Kante had beaten David de Gea with a precise low shot.
While Mourinho was spared the humiliation of the 4-0 thrashing his old club dished out in October’s Premier League meeting – his first return to Stamford Bridge since being sacked last season – he was again found wanting as Chelsea’s fans delighted in chanting the name of his successor Conte.
Mourinho’s frustration boiled over at times and the Portuguese and Italian Conte had to be separated after an angry exchange shortly after Herrera’s sending off.
Chelsea dominated possession and could have scored more goals, though FA Cup holders United, who have already lifted the League Cup this season, had their moments and battled gamely despite being a man down for most of the contest.