Thomas Tuchel underlines importance as Chelsea set-up chance to enact quick-fire revenge on Liverpool

Chelsea and Liverpool will do it all again in next month’s FA Cup Final after Thomas Tuchel’s side shook off the disappointment of Madrid to get past a spirited Crystal Palace.

It means a repeat of this season’s Carabao Cup Final, which Jurgen Klopp’s side won after 22 penalties eventually separated the two teams.

So, this 2-0 win against Palace provides Tuchel with the chance to enact swift revenge and, who knows, deny quadruple-chasing Liverpool a clean sweep.

Klopp’s side will certainly have to do it the hard way if they are to complete the unprecedented feat of lifting all three domestic trophies and the Champions League as well.

Victory, meanwhile, keeps Chelsea’s season alive, as well ensuring Tuchel remains a fascinating sub-plot to the Klopp-Pep Guardiola narrative.

While Liverpool and Manchester City are on course to determine the two biggest prizes of the Premier League and Champions League, Klopp will have had to overcome Tuchel in both domestic cups if he is to achieve his ambitions this term.

That, in itself, should serve as a reminder of how close Chelsea are to the undoubted leading pair in English and, possibly, European football.

Tuchel is convinced his team would still be in the conversation for the title if not for injuries and Covid having such an impact midway through the campaign.

That is up to him to prove next season, but his performance in just about every other competition adds weight to his claim.

The European Super Cup and Club World Cup have already been won this season.

The Carabao Cup was lost on penalties, while their defence of their Champions League crown was ended in heart-breaking circumstances against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

Now Tuchel has extended his record of reaching every