European roundup: Chelsea set up Arsenal FA Cup final, Inter title challenge falters
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Manchester United's Nemanja Matic walks away dejected as Chelsea players celebrate during their FA Cup clash at Wembley Stadium, London, England, July 19, 2020. /VCG

Manchester United's Nemanja Matic walks away dejected as Chelsea players celebrate during their FA Cup clash at Wembley Stadium, London, England, July 19, 2020. /VCG

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted David De Gea's place is not guaranteed after the goalkeeper endured another error-strewn display in Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.

Chelsea will face London rivals Arsenal in the final on August 1 thanks to a pair of embarrassing blunders from De Gea in United's 3-1 loss at Wembley on Sunday.

The Spaniard's nightmare season hit a new low as he was at fault when Olivier Giroud's shot trickled over the line late in the first half.

And De Gea made an even worse mistake moments after the interval when he allowed Mason Mount's shot to evade his weak attempted save.

Harry Maguire's own goal was also partly down to De Gea's slow reactions as United lost for the first time in 20 games in all competitions despite Bruno Fernandes' late penalty.

"He knows he should save that 100 times out of 100 but that's football for you," Solskjaer said.

"I can't speak for David De Gea's confidence but he is mentally very strong. I made the decision to play him and mentally he was ready for it."

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea in frustration during their FA Cup clash at Wembley Stadium, London, England, July 19, 2020. /VCG

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea in frustration during their FA Cup clash at Wembley Stadium, London, England, July 19, 2020. /VCG

Asked if De Gea would be replaced by Sergio Romero when United return to action against West Ham in Wednesday's crucial Premier League clash, Solskjaer would not rule out dropping his star.

"Obviously, everyone has to perform. Everyone has a chance every time we perform to stake a claim in the team," he said. "David knows he should have saved the second goal, but that's done now and we have to look forward to Wednesday.

De Gea's future at United is sure to be scrutinized given the fine form of the club's on-loan keeper Dean Henderson during his spell at Sheffield United this season.

Solskjaer has already labelled Henderson a future England number one and it would be no surprise if he is back at Old Trafford to challenge De Gea for the keeper's jersey next season.

While the spotlight was on De Gea, Chelsea were by far the better team as they reached the FA Cup final for the first time since they last lifted the trophy in 2018.

United had beaten Chelsea three times this season, but Lampard had the last laugh.

"To win a semi is a great thing, but to win a final is the thing," Lampard said. "We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves but we can certainly enjoy the performance and the result.

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (R) scores their second goal during their Premier League clash Leicester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, July 19, 2020. /VCG

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (R) scores their second goal during their Premier League clash Leicester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, July 19, 2020. /VCG

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho warned Harry Kane on Sunday that his "special" relationship with Tottenham Hotspur means it would not be as enjoyable to play for another club.

Kane netted with two superb finishes as Tottenham boosted their bid to qualify for the Europa League with a 3-0 win over Leicester in north London on Sunday. The England captain now has six goals since the Premier League restart and 13 in 18 games under Mourinho.

It was a stinging rebuke to critics who have claimed the Tottenham striker cannot flourish in Mourinho's rigid game-plan.

Kane spoke earlier this season about the need for Tottenham to match his ambitions if he is to stay at a club where he is yet to win a major trophy.

But, amid speculation he could look to leave, the Londoner has now scored 185 goals for the club he joined as an 11-year-old.

Mourinho believes that bond with Tottenham makes Kane the player he is.

"I think everyone thinks he's a fantastic player and Tottenham is so lucky to have him because he's the player, the person and the Tottenham boy," Mourinho said.

"All this together makes him really a special player for us that probably wouldn't be so special playing for another team. He's really special for us, he's really special for Tottenham," he added.

"Of course we want him to be happy and for him to be happy he wants victories, score goals, and I'm so happy after an incredibly difficult injury he's coming in the direction where he's going to end the season perfect. Hopefully the beginning of next season he will be even better."

Roma's Henrikh Mkhitaryan is tackled by Inter's Milan Skriniar during their Serie A clash at Stadio Olimpico, July 19, 2020. /VCG

Roma's Henrikh Mkhitaryan is tackled by Inter's Milan Skriniar during their Serie A clash at Stadio Olimpico, July 19, 2020. /VCG

Elsewhere, Inter Milan missed a chance to keep the pressure on Juventus after being held 2-2 at Roma, leaving the way clear for the Turin giants to close in on a ninth consecutive Serie A title.

Romelu Lukaku's penalty two minutes from time rescued a point for Antonio Conte's Inter, who are second, five points behind Juventus.

Juve can open up an eight-point lead on the top of the table when they host fourth-placed Lazio on Monday.

Stefan De Vrij had got Inter off the mark at the Stadio Olimpico when he headed home an Alexis Sanchez corner after 14 minutes.

But Roma captain Edin Dzeko set up Leonardo Spinazzola for the equaliser in first half stoppage time and was again involved when Henrikh Mkhitaryan got the second in the 57th minute.

Lukaku came off the bench and scored from the spot late after Spinazzola fouled Victor Moses.

It was a stalemate which does little to help either team, and boosts Juventus' chances of extending their record Serie A run.

At the bottom of the table Brescia, in 19th, won 2-1 to condemn SPAL to a return to Serie B after two seasons in the top flight.

In another relegation dogfight Genoa beat Lecce 2-1 to move four points clear of the southerners who occupy the final relegation spot.

Genoa are four points behind Torino, who lost 2-0 at Fiorentina.

City rivals Sampdoria are on the brink of securing Serie A survival after staging a thrilling comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 at Parma.

Source(s): AFP