Holders Chelsea ended Manchester United's hopes of a first FA Cup win since 2004 and a first double in 14 years as Demba Ba's spectacular strike secured a quarter-final replay victory at Stamford Bridge.
Ba volleyed in a Juan Mata pass four minutes into the second half to send Chelsea into the semi-finals and deny runaway Premier League leaders United a Wembley clash with derby rivals Manchester City.
Petr Cech made a stunning 61st-minute save from Javier Hernandez and Chelsea held on to stay on course for a fifth FA Cup triumph in seven seasons, with City their last-four opponents on April 14.
For the Blues, beaten by Southampton on Saturday, it was a much needed fillip ahead of Thursday's Europa League tie with Rubin Kazan and means a season of disharmony could end on a high.
All of United's energies, meanwhile, are now on wrapping up the Premier League title after their hopes of a first double since the 1999 treble-winning season ended.
United appeared to be cruising into the last four with a 2-0 half-time lead at Old Trafford, but Chelsea responded to force a replay which was squeezed into a hectic calendar.
Both sides made seven changes for their second game in three days, with Wayne Rooney absent for the visitors.
United, who won at Sunderland on Saturday, reported Rooney picked up a groin problem on England duty but will be fit for the Manchester derby on April 8.
Rio Ferdinand, who withdrew from England duty and is the most unwelcome of visitors in this part of London, was in the United starting XI, but John Terry and Frank Lampard were only on the bench for Chelsea's 55th game of the season and second of six games in 16 days.
Rafael Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson shook hands in a brief pause in hostilities before proceedings began.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Ba saves ChelseaFC
Holders Chelsea ended Manchester United's hopes of a first FA Cup win since 2004 and a first double in 14 years as Demba Ba's spectacular strike secured a quarter-final replay victory at Stamford Bridge.
Ba volleyed in a Juan Mata pass four minutes into the second half to send Chelsea into the semi-finals and deny runaway Premier League leaders United a Wembley clash with derby rivals Manchester City.
Petr Cech made a stunning 61st-minute save from Javier Hernandez and Chelsea held on to stay on course for a fifth FA Cup triumph in seven seasons, with City their last-four opponents on April 14.
For the Blues, beaten by Southampton on Saturday, it was a much needed fillip ahead of Thursday's Europa League tie with Rubin Kazan and means a season of disharmony could end on a high.
All of United's energies, meanwhile, are now on wrapping up the Premier League title after their hopes of a first double since the 1999 treble-winning season ended.
United appeared to be cruising into the last four with a 2-0 half-time lead at Old Trafford, but Chelsea responded to force a replay which was squeezed into a hectic calendar.
Both sides made seven changes for their second game in three days, with Wayne Rooney absent for the visitors.
United, who won at Sunderland on Saturday, reported Rooney picked up a groin problem on England duty but will be fit for the Manchester derby on April 8.
Rio Ferdinand, who withdrew from England duty and is the most unwelcome of visitors in this part of London, was in the United starting XI, but John Terry and Frank Lampard were only on the bench for Chelsea's 55th game of the season and second of six games in 16 days.
Rafael Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson shook hands in a brief pause in hostilities before proceedings began.
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