Everton vs. Chelsea: Winners and Losers from FA Cup
Romelu Lukaku fired Everton into the FA Cup semi-finals with two late goals in a 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday in the sixth round.
With the match scoreless in the 78th minute, Lukaku broke the deadlock with a stunning solo effort, cutting inside from the left and beating four defenders before finishing low past Thibaut Courtois. He added the second four minutes later, finishing through Courtois' legs from Ross Barkley's through ball on the right.
Both teams finished the match with 10 men. Diego Costa saw red in the 84th minute following a confrontation with Gareth Barry, who was also dismissed three minutes later for a separate incident.
Here, Bleacher Report selects winners and losers from the match.
Winner: Romelu Lukaku
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Is a great goal even better if it comes in a game that is otherwise lacking in chances? That's the question following Lukaku's stunning solo effort in the 78th minute—a moment of much-needed magic that lifted the match, the stadium and Lukaku's club.
Taking possession on the left, he waited for Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic to approach him before splitting the pair with a burst of speed. He then beat two more defenders, turning Gary Cahill before firing a low shot past Thibaut Courtois for the breakthrough strike.
"Lukaku beat four Chelsea defenders individually. Boom boom boom boom. Then blasted his shot by Courtois. Stupid good goal," tweeted ESPN FC's Michael Caley.
In a word, this was brilliant. More than that, it was a goal-of-the-season contender, both for its level of difficulty and its importance in Everton's season. Struggling in 12th place in the Premier League, the Toffees needed this goal to keep alive a stirring cup run that continues to provide a joyful outlet to fans. Since entering the competition in the third round, Roberto Martinez's men still haven't conceded a goal.
Now, they've also scored one of the season's best—a strike that sends them to Wembley for the semi-finals.
As for Lukaku, who added another good goal four minutes later, this performance was yet another reminder of his massive talent. According to Opta Joe, the Belgian has scored 25 goals in 36 games this season in all competitions, an outstanding return.
Per Gavin Buckland, Everton's official statistician, Lukaku is the first Toffee to reach 25 strikes in a single season since Gary Lineker netted 40 in 1985-86.
Finally, as sports lawyer Jake Cohen noted, that first strike was the 105th goal to which Lukaku has contributed since leaving Chelsea (77 goals, 28 assists).
At 22, that's an amazing record. What's more, he's still several years away from his peak. Chelsea must rue the day he left the club.
"I don't think I have anything to prove to Chelsea," Lukaku said, per BBC Sport. "I went there as an 18-year-old and learnt the trade of being a professional footballer. I will always be grateful to them. If we work hard and are clinical offensively and defensively, we have a chance."
Loser: Diego Costa
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Chelsea's supporters are quick to defend Diego Costa, and that's understandable. Whether you love him or hate him, you have to agree that Costa is effective, both for his goalscoring traits and his ability to enrage his opponents.
On this day, however, he went too far. After the members of the FA's disciplinary committee watch replays of Costa's incident with Gareth Barry late in the second half, the Spain international could face further sanctions.
Already carrying a yellow card from a separate incident, Costa reacted to a poor challenge from Barry by jumping to his feet and shoving his chest at the Everton man. Costa then appeared to move his head toward Barry and open his mouth in a biting motion.
Was it a bite? You be the judge, based on this screengrab captured by Stan Collymore.
Loser: Gareth Barry
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If we're being fair, we have to lump Barry among the losers as well. The Everton man turned in a fine display but probably committed a few yellow-card offenses well before he finally drew a booking in the 84th-minute incident that saw Costa sent off.
Then, as if to push his luck, Barry kicked out at Cesc Fabregas just three minutes later and received his marching orders for his second yellow card.
What a silly thing to do. Everton had the match won by that point, and Barry's dismissal only dampened spirits on an otherwise joyous occasion.
Winner: Roberto Martinez
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If we take a step back from this match, it has to be said that all is not right at Everton.
After finishing fifth in the Premier League in 2013-14, Roberto Martinez's first season as manager, the Toffees slipped to 11th last term and are currently 12th with 10 games remaining. In recent weeks, the Spaniard has come under pressure for poor results, with the criticism only strengthening after Everton blew a two-goal lead in a 3-2 loss to West Ham United last weekend.
But the supporters' concerns will have to stay silent for now. Winning this match is an obvious fillip for the club, and Martinez will be hoping it leads to better things during the run-in.
Will this prove to be a turning point for the Toffees? It's impossible to know now, but with Wembley on the horizon, Everton's fans, staff and players will be dreaming of a first trophy since 1994-95.
Loser: Guus Hiddink (or Chelsea's Season)
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Before Saturday, Guus Hiddink owned a sterling record with Chelsea in the FA Cup, having played six and won six—including the 2009 final as interim manager. That record took a blemish with this loss, and now the Blues' season is all but over. In mid-March.
"Everyone knows where Chelsea were. The first task was to get out of the relegation zone and we did that fast, we went from 16th to 10th," Hiddink said, per BBC Sport. "Then there were two cups at stake. It is important now that we have the pride to play when there is nothing much at stake. We will be proud and play for the public."
Already knocked out of the UEFA Champions League, Chelsea still have an outside shot at qualifying for Europe through their league position this season. But after recovering from their awful start, the Blues still have lots of ground to make up, and that's still a long shot.
More likely, a summer shake-up is in store, with some underperforming players departing and new talent coming in. Hiddink, who was always a temporary appointee, will be gone, and Chelsea will have to rebuild.
However, as Bleacher Report's Garry Hayes noted, it's not all bad news. "Best thing to come out of this for (Chelsea) is that even the Europa League looks off the cards," Hayes tweeted. "Can rebuild without Euro distractions next year."
