Thomas Tuchel noted physical and mental fatigue in his players as the tie wore on, and the statistics reflect that shift in momentum as Sheffield United sought an equaliser.

Up until the hour mark, we enjoyed a 68.6 per cent share of possession and recorded an 88 per cent pass completion rate. After that point, those figures dropped to 47.8 per cent and 81 per cent respectively as we struggled to retain possession as effectively.

Seven of our eight attempts came in the first hour of the game (Hakim Ziyech netting with our only shot in the closing stages) and 14 of our 15 successful dribbles were also in that timeframe.

Sheffield United deserve credit for their relentless press, and their more direct approach caused us problems in the final half-hour. They had four shots in that time, and as well as recording more possession than us, they completed more passes, more dribbles and won more aerial duels than we did.

Sheffield United’s expected goals (xG) of 0.88 is the second-highest we have faced since Tuchel arrived. Barnsley (xG of 1.54) in the previous round was the highest.

We stood strong, though, to record a club record-equalling seventh consecutive clean sheet.

Chilwell the creator

The record books will show that Ben Chilwell registered one assist on Sunday, but that would be to ignore the vital role he played in our opening goal, too.

Alongside the cross-shot that Oliver Norwood turned into his own net and the pass Hakim Ziyech clinically converted, Chilwell won the most amount of tackles on the pitch and registered joint game-high figures for pass completion rate and interceptions.

It was an accomplished performance by the England international and followed a bright showing by him at Leeds a week earlier.

Cup runneth on

We have now reached the FA Cup semi-final in four of the past five seasons, and 11 of the past 20, more than any other side.

Tuchel’s 14th game without defeat has included an astonishing 12 clean sheets. If we can keep another against West Brom on 3 April, we will set a new club record, beating previous streaks reached in 1905/06, 2003/04 and 2005/06 (twice).