SPORTS Sunday, April 23, 2017 23 Chelsea 4 Tottenham 2 Hazard Malaga 2 Valencia 0 Villarreal 2 Leganes 1 Osasuna 2 Sporting Gijon 2 Espanyol v Atletico Madrid (1845). takes Atalanta v Bologna (1600), Fiorentina v Inter Milan (1845) Chelsea’s Brazilian mid- fielder Willian (L) cel- ebrates with Chelsea’s Chelsea Brazilian defender David Luiz (C) and Chelsea’s Dutch defender Nathan into final Ake after scoring London Dele Alli levelled again for were hoping for a more severe possession for long periods, of Luiz and direct a close- den Hazard fired Tottenham, but Conte had all punishment than the yellow Pochettino’s side still ended range finish past Courtois. Chelsea into the the answers and, when he sent card shown by referee Martin the half behind as his decision Conte responded by EFA Cup final as the on Hazard, the Belgian blasted Atkinson. to play Son Heung-Min out of sending for the cavalry as Belgian’s blistering Chelsea back into the lead. But their frustration was position at left wingback was Costa and Hazard came on strike ensured Antonio Nemanja Matic’s short-lived as Willian stepped exposed in the 43rd minute. for Willian and Batshuayi in Conte’s selection thunderous long-range effort up to exact retribution from Kante slipped a pass to the 61st minute, while Cesc gamble paid off in his sealed a final date against the free-kick, the Brazilian’s Victor Moses and when the Fabregas was introduced soon side’s dramatic 4-2 win Arsenal or Manchester City, superb 20-yard strike eluding Nigerian’s surge into the after. Once again, Conte’s over Tottenham yesterday. who meet in the second semi- Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo penalty area was halted by instincts were spot on and Blues boss Conte sprang final today. Lloris before nestling into the Son’s rash tackle Atkinson the Italian’s changes brought a major surprise by starting Tottenham, losers yet again far corner. Kane’s typically gave the penalty on the advice the winner in the 75th with Hazard and Diego Costa at Wembley and still without predatory finish drew them of his linesman. minute. on the bench in the Wembley an FA Cup final appearance level in the 18th minute. Batshuayi wanted to take it, Fabregas’s corner was semi-final as he looked since 1991, need an immediate but Conte demanded Willian only partially cleared and ahead to the Premier League response in their midweek Exposed step up and he stroked home Hazard seized the ball just leaders’ vital fixture trip to Crystal Palace if they As Christian Eriksen prepared the spot-kick in confident inside the area before drilling against Southampton are to get revenge by pipping to whip over a cross, Kane style. It could have been a a blistering finish beyond on Tuesday. Chelsea to the title. was already on the move and major momentum changer, Lloris. But Conte’s bold Breaking at pace, Chelsea his awareness gave him a yet Tottenham were level If that was a memorable moves proved inspired as worked the ball towards valuable extra yard of space again in the 52nd minute. strike, there was even better to Hazard’s replacement Willian Batshuayi and his deft on Chelsea defender Nathan Barely looking up as he come five minutes later when Chelsea’s Belgian put Chelsea ahead early on backheel sent Pedro surging Ake as he stooped to guide a received the ball, Eriksen Hazard teed up Matic and midfielder Eden and then restored their lead clear. When the Spaniard delicate header past Thibaut unfurled a majestic pass Serb’s thunderous 30-yard Hazard celebrates in the second half after Harry was sent sprawling by Toby Courtois. towards Alli, who timed his rocket sent Chelsea into scoring Kane’s equaliser. Alderweireld’s lunge, Chelsea But, despite controlling run perfectly to slide in front raptures. (AFP) Nadal to face Vinolas Monte Carlo Personally, it’s a very special place for the first set, when the chair umpire may afael Nadal beat David Goffin 6-3, me. It’s something that makes me feel have missed a ball mark and ended up 6-1 yesterday in a controversial very happy. Very excited about it.” awarding Nadal a point which denied semi-finalR at the Monte Carlo Masters Nadal has beaten 29-year-old Ramos- Goffin a 4-2 lead in the opener. to put himself on the brink of a 10th Vinolas in their two previous clashes, The crowd turning against him, title at the clay court showpiece. both times on clay in Barcelona. Nadal was the subject of whistles and The 30-year-old defending champion “He’s playing better than ever, he’s jeers while the heart went out of Goffin will face Spanish compatriot Albert winning huge matches during the whole who had made the semi-finals by seeing Ramos-Vinolas, who defeated Lucas week,” said Nadal of his next opponent. off world number two Novak Djokovic Pouille 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, in Sunday’s final. “He’s playing with big confidence, on Friday. Nadal is also chasing his first ATP with great spirit of fight, overcoming “When the umpire goes down and title since last April in Barcelona and tough situations in every match, and says the ball is good, what I can say? No, the 70th of his career. playing a high level of tennis all the the ball is out?” Nadal said. “That’s why “It’s tough to believe that I am again time. there is an umpire there. in a final here, it is unbelievable news “I know that I need to be at my best “If the ball is on my side, I see the for me,” Nadal said. “It’s another great to keep having chances, to fight for ball is in, I give the ball to the other event. another title here. That’s what I am side? This (booing) for me is sometimes “I’m be able to start the clay court looking for.” sad, especially in a place that I had a season playing a final in one of the However, Saturday’s semi-final lot of success, in a place that I love. most important events of the year. turned on a controversial incident in Sometimes that happens.” (AFP) Spain’s Rafael Nadal shakes hands with Belgium’s David Goffin.