Chelsea meet Sheffield United only for the sixth time in FA Cup history. It is a historic tie between the Blades and the Blues that goes back to the 1911/12 season, 109 years ago.
The first meeting between the two went Chelsea’s way as Sheffield fell at Stamford Bridge. In what was the 31st of 32 first round matches, Sheffield United were defeated by a goal to nil.
3 years, 3 months and 11 days later, on 24 April 1915, Old Trafford hosted English football’s last FA Cup final before the sport was suspended because of World War I.
Chelsea made the final after registering a 2-0 victory over Everton in the semi-final, whereas Sheffield narrowed out Bolton Wanderers by one goal in a 2-1 win.
Sheffield United recorded a 3-0 trophy-winning performance with two late goals. The emphatic result saw Sheffield conquer only their third of four FA Cups till date.
And that heavy defeat for Chelsea, 106 years ago, remains their only against Sheffield in the competition.
Chelsea had to wait until the 1969/70 season to win the historic competition. A first match 2-2 draw at Wembley forced the teams to replay the final at Old Trafford. Chelsea emerged 2-1 victors on the same turf they lost 55 years back.
The only meeting between the two in the quarter-final stage of the competition came in the 1951/52 season. Chelsea won the tie 1-0 at Bramall Lane.
The rest two fixtures have both come in the fifth round. Both have gone Chelsea’s way, with the two most recently facing off 29 years back, in the 1991/92 season.
The sixth encounter between the two in lunch-time kick-off is certain to pose a morale-high Chelsea face a somewhat disorientated Sheffield United, who come on the back of a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Leicester City.