Chelsea have advanced through the FA Cup quarter-final after putting in a professional display to overcome Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
The west London team had a strong start to the game, battling Chris Wilder's side every challenge before showing they had the class to match it when some precise passing through Middlesbrough's press saw Mason Mount released down the right. He made no mistake with his cross to feed Romelu Lukaku for the Belgian to complete the simplest finish in the 18th minute.
The hosts started to find their way back into the game and put the Blues backline under pressure but Hakim Ziyech popped up outside the box with a dipping shot to extend Chelsea's lead. It was generally a confident Chelsea performance, and though by no means perfect it felt like the Blues were confident in their 2-0 advantage through the second half.
READ MORE: Chelsea player ratings vs Middlesbrough: Silva shines, Ziyech delivers, Mount back to his best
The result takes Chelsea through the FA Cup semi-final once again as Thomas Tuchel continues his impressive record in cup competitions. We take a look at the moments you may have missed from the clash below.
Youngsters with the squad
Harvey Vale was with the Chelsea squad of course, as he was named on the Blues bench once again by Thomas Tuchel. The 18-year-old entered the field in the 84th minute to earn some more valuable pitch time with the first team as he replaced Romelu Lukaku.
However, he wasn't the only youngster with the group. While he was not in the squad, 19-year-old development squad goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom got off the Chelsea team coach at the Riverside to be involved with the club's other stoppers. It's not the first time Bergstrom has had a non-matchday squad role with the first team and he was likely deputising because of the absence of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Happy Birthday
Another week and another special strike by Ziyech as the former Morocco international notched up his eighth goal of the season and fifth of 2022. The winger has rediscovered his pre-season form since the turn of the year and has shown the ability to find the net again and again with quality across competitions.
This one might have just felt a little bit better as the wizard celebrated his 29th birthday.
Antonio Rudiger hijinks
Antonio Rudiger's individual performance is often as interesting as the match itself with his propensity for the outrageous over 90 minutes. Saturday was not an outing with a vast array of shots from distance or probing runs from deep to challenge the Boro defence but it still had his unique flavour.
Against Newcastle United in the weekend, Rudiger sent social media crazy as he performed some high-knee strides when he easily beat Chris Wood to a through ball in the second period. The German international found some time to do it once again against Middlesbrough following a poor pass. It wasn't quite as significant as against the Magpies but perhaps it's becoming a habit.
Why Thomas Tuchel shouted at Mateo Kovacic
It wouldn't be a Chelsea match without Thomas Tuchel showing his frustration at some point. The first half saw the German in tandem with assistant Zsolt Low get into a shouting match with one of Chris Wilder's assistants as Middlesbrough picked up their tempo having went 1-0 behind. Of course, there was also the usual complaints to the referee and fourth official too.
However, in the second period it was Mateo Kovacic that drew the ire of Chelsea's boss. The Blues had looked comfortable in possession and were recycling up the pitch. The Croatian looked to drive the ball up the pitch as he does so well but he quickly gave it away when not under too much pressure.
Tuchel was very much left vexed and made sure the midfielder knew it. He was probably just rested but it wasn't too much longer before he was being replaced by N'Golo Kante.
Mason Mount landmark
It was another imperious display by Mason Mount as he was afforded the opportunity to operate in a free role behind the forward line. He connected with Ziyech to great success and show quality interplay with Lukaku too.
He supplied each player with the ball for their goals with two assists earning him his 50th goal contribution for Chelsea. The England international has recorded 25 goals and 25 assists in his Blues career and that has included eight goals and 12 assists this season. Keeps getting better and better.
