KEY POINTS

  • Chelsea will take on Liverpool in the FA Cup final
  • It will be Chelsea's third straight FA Cup final
  • Liverpool defeated Chelsea in the League Cup final earlier this year

Chelsea have emulated Arsenal as they have qualified for their third consecutive FA Cup final.

Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea on Sunday became the first team to reach the men's FA Cup final in three straight seasons since Arsenal achieved the feat between 2000 and 2003, according to Opta Joe.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who came in for injured Mateo Kovacic in the second half, netted Chelsea's first goal before Mason Mount doubled the Blues' lead a few minutes later. It is the first time two Englishmen have scored in the same game for Chelsea at Wembley since the 1970 FA Cup final vs. Leeds (Peter Houseman and Ian Hutchinson).

Chelsea will now lock horns with Liverpool FC in the final of the 2021-22 FA Cup on May 14 at Wembley Stadium, London.

The two sides met at the iconic stadium earlier this year in the final of the League Cup. The Reds claimed the title on penalties after each of their 11 players converted their spot-kick. Only Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga missed his penalty, handing Liverpool their record ninth League Cup trophy.

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Liverpool will be just the second pair of teams to compete in both the FA Cup and League Cup finals in the same season, after Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday in 1992-93, Opta Joe reported.

Chelsea will look to change their fate in the FA Cup final as they lost the previous two finals to Arsenal and Leicester City respectively. The upcoming FA Cup final will be Tuchel's fourth final since his appointment in the middle of last season.

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace AFP / Glyn KIRK

Tuchel said the final against Liverpool will be a "tough one" but Chelsea will try to "make life hard" for the Reds. He said FA Cup is "prestigious, the most traditional cup in the world and played at Wembley, so there are not a lot of bigger games to be part of."

"We lost of course a final against them when we gave everything and it went until the very last penalty. We were unlucky and we want to turn things around. We were here last season in the FA Cup final and we will be here again. We will be well prepared because we play against one of the strongest teams in the world that have outstanding form. So it will be a tough one and we will try to make life hard for them," Tuchel said in a post-match interview, Chelsea's official website reported.

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