FA Cup news - Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel: Tired players lost control against Sheffield United

ByAlexander Netherton

Updated 21/03/2021 at 20:40 GMT

Thomas Tuchel watched his side beat Sheffield United 2-0 on Sunday afternoon to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Chelsea beat the Blades through goals from Oliver Norwood - an own goal - and Hakim Ziyech, with the win the 10th for Tuchel after fourteen games in charge at Stamford Bridge since replacing Frank Lampard.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was pleased to see his side manage a 2-0 win over Sheffield United in their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday, but believes a number of errors were due to tiredness.

Speaking to the BBC after the match, his 10th win in 14 games as manager since replacing Frank Lampard, he said: "Sounds excellent to say we're through to the semi-finals - it was a tough match. We had a good first half where we controlled everything. We lost control in the second half, we were clearly tired.

“After 14 consecutive matches I could feel we were tired and we made many little faults. We were lucky to keep the clean sheet in the second half but I think it's the first time in the 14 games we have looked tired. It's important to go through in the cup and that was the target and we reached it.”

Transfers

Man Utd could earn millions from Sancho’s Champions League run – Paper Round

21/04/2024 at 08:31

• Tuchel's amazing run continues as Chelsea reach FA Cup semis
• 'I'd like that a lot' - Kuyt dreaming of working alongside Gerrard at Liverpool
• 'We have not thought about it really' - Moyes on Lingard future

An Oliver Norwood own goal put Chelsea ahead after 24 minutes, but Sheffield United came back into the game before Hakim Ziyech’s late second. Tuchel acknowledged the game was in the balance for some time.

"We let them come back because we had full control in the first half, and second half a big chance with Christian Pulisic to finish the game early.” he said.

“We made too many easy mistakes and lost duels and lost some momentum.

"I could tell in training we were tired and there was a lack of concentration. That can happen sometimes it gets harder to keep the level up - I'm happy we could help from the bench and in the end we have the win so we take that."

Cavani out, Dybala in – Euro Papers

Champions League

Exclusive: Tuchel says Bayern must be 'almost perfect' in second leg to defeat Arsenal

16/04/2024 at 18:25

Champions League

'A kid’s mistake' – Tuchel slams 'horrible explanation' after Gabriel picks up ball in box

10/04/2024 at 06:17

Champions League

Exclusive: Tuchel can ‘feel the electricity’ at Arsenal - ‘They are the benchmark’

09/04/2024 at 11:59