INCREDIBLE CHELSEA! THROUGH TO THE FINAL OF THE FA CUP (SEE PHOTOS)

Chelsea Fc 

*Willian gave Chelsea the lead in just the fifth minute with a free-kick that sailed into the corner of the goal. 

*Harry Kane equalised for Tottenham with an impudent backward-directed header in the 18th minute. 

*Chelsea retook the lead through Willian penalty after a foul by Son Heung-min on Victor Moses. 

*Dele Alli brought Spurs level again in the 52nd minute as he latched onto Christian Eriksens cross. 

*Eden Hazard gave Antonio Conte's side the lead for the third time in the match with a low drive into the corner. 

*Nemanja Matic confirmed Chelsea's place in the final with a screamer from range 10 minutes before the end. 

Here was the contest we dared to hope for, the matching of the two best teams in the country in an exhilarating bout at this famous old venue. The only regret was that this was not the final, for it would have been one of the greats.

Still, there is a tradition now of great Wembley semi-finals and this one will live long in the memory; perhaps as long as 1991 and that Paul Gascoigne goal, even if it will be less fondly recalled by Spurs. 

For it even had a strike which, if not quite as astounding as that one, was one of the better moments this stadium had witnessed. 

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Nemanja Matic watches his piledriver strike the back of the net via the crossbar to give Chelsea a 4-2 win over Tottenham

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Nemanja Matic celebrates after his long-range thunderbolt confirmed Chelsea's place in the final of the FA Cup

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David Luiz piles on top his jubilant team-mates after Matic secured victory with his spectacular goal in the 80th minute

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A euphoric Antonio Conte dashes down the touchline after Matic's goal sealed a 4-2 win over Spurs at Wembley on Saturday

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Eden Hazard drives low into the bottom corner with his left foot to give Chelsea the lead against Tottenham for the third time

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The Belgian celebrates in front of the Chelsea fans after coming off the bench and inspiring his side into the FA Cup final

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Dele Alli looks despondent on the centre circle after Hazard's goal sent Chelsea 3-2 up just 15 minutes before full-time

For Tottenham,there will inevitably be regrets. They are becoming delightful team which tends to Come up short in the final analysis. 

And perhaps not just this opportunity, of an FA Cup final. Even with no points at stake, the momentum of the Premier League race shifted back again in Chelsea’s favour. 

It always seemed too hard a task for Tottenham to reel their rivals back in but eight consecutive wins allowed them to hope. Now, with Chelsea buoyed by this win and Tottenham punctured by defeat, the course is surely set.

And Chelsea prevailed whilst initially holding back their best hand. Antonio Conte gambled outrageously, leaving Diego Costa and Eden Hazard on the bench for the almighty clash. 

And yet, cometh the hour, with the game finely poised at 2-2, he could reach for stars and send them on. Ultimately, they would be decisive and an extraordinary FA Cup and Premier League double now looms for Conte in his first season in English football.