Romelu Lukaku on the mark as Chelsea reach FA Cup semi-final

Romelu Lukaku's 12th goal of the season set Chelsea on their way to the FA Cup semi-finals in serene fashion as the club's off-field problems were once again put to one side after a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough.

A comfortable sixth-round victory over the Sky Bet Championship outfit provided a more than satisfactory conclusion to a difficult week, where the Blues' future ownership and current operational difficulties attracted far more attention than their efforts on the pitch.

Lukaku's 15th-minute strike and delicious second from Hakim Ziyech had the tie wrapped up long before half-time as Thomas Tuchel's men progressed with the minimum of fuss in pursuit of their ninth taste of glory in club football's oldest competition.

Fewer than 700 Chelsea fans had made it to Teesside as a result of a restriction on ticket sales under sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich, but it proved a relaxing evening as their side cruised to victory in a repeat of the 1997 final.