Chelsea Fans Stunned After Romelu Lukaku Misses Sitter Against Crystal Palace, It Sums Up His Season
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku missed a golden opportunity to score in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace, somehow hitting the post from only a few yards out.
Lukaku has endured a difficult season since re-joining Chelsea in a club-record £97m move from Inter Milan last summer.
The Belgium international has scored just five Premier League goals and was forced to settle for a place on the bench against Palace, with Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Mason Mount preferred in attack by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.
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After a goalless first half, Ruben Loftus-Cheek gave Chelsea the lead midway through the second period before Mount made it 2-0 with 15 minutes remaining.
Lukaku was brought on after the second goal and would waste a glorious opportunity to put the icing on the cake for Chelsea.
Werner burst into the Palace area in the final minute of normal time and squared the ball for Lukaku.
But the Belgian striker could only direct his shot onto the post from six yards out.
His fellow substitute Hakim Ziyech latched onto the rebound but his shot was then blocked on the line.
Chelsea fans were left scratching their heads as to how Lukaku had failed to score.
“That was just a tap in, Lukaku. I know players miss some chances but this is literally an open net,” wrote one fan on Twitter.
“Still in disbelief as to how Lukaku missed that chance,” wrote another.
Speaking ahead of the game, Tuchel had urged Lukaku to take inspiration from Werner, who was named man-of-the-match against Palace.
“What Timo has done is exactly what [Lukaku] needs to do,” said Tuchel.
“Wait, be patient, work hard and put the team first, be ready to help the team, because as a striker you can help within seconds.”
Despite Lukaku’s shocking miss, Chelsea would go on to win 2-0 and will now face Liverpool in the FA Cup final on May 14.
It is a repeat of the Carabao Cup final from earlier this season, which Liverpool won on penalties.
Topics: Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku, Football, FA Cup
Rory O'Callaghan