Chelsea-Spurs FA Cup semi-final would have been a fitting final
The top two Premier clubs in the country battle it out in Saturday night’s first semi-final with four players from each club nominated for PFA team of the year, while Arsenal and Manchester City contest the other semi-final
This weekend’s FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley feature a quartet of teams from England’s big six and, even in that context, it is the Chelsea v Tottenham tie that stands out as the top-quality contest.
Saturday night’s match would have been a fitting final between the two teams now separated by only four points at the top of the Premier League and their superior class was recognised this week when the PFA team of the year contained four players from each club.
By contrast, Arsenal and Manchester City, who contest tomorrow’s second semi-final, had no players deemed worthy of inclusion by their fellow professionals. The other three clubs represented in the team came from Liverpool, Manchester United and Everton.
The Chelsea and Tottenham players chosen for the PFA team are indicative of what are seen as the respective strengths of the two clubs and where the key battlegrounds will be marked out in tonight’s match.
Chelsea’s quartet centred on their strong spine, with holding midfielder N’Golo Kante – the favourite to be named player of the year at Sunday night’s ceremony – chosen along with defenders Gary Cahill and David Luiz.