Seven times FA Cup winners Manchester City reserved their place in the final for the thirteenth time when they shrugged off a resolute and adamant Chelsea side at the Wembley Stadium last night. An 84th minute Bernardo Silva strike proved decisive for the defending champions who will appear in back to back FA Cup finals for the first time since 1956.
However sweet the ending may be, the match started in a different tone. Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea started more brightly and positively as fatigue was visible among many Manchester City players who have just appeared in the Champions League quarter final clash merely three days back.
City started with Julian Alvarez up front as their talismanic striker Erling Haaland was not available due to injury. During the entire first half, Chelsea played some high tempo football creating more chances but lacked the finishing. Senegal international striker Nicolas Jackson was presented with many decent chances throughout the game but he failed to convert any of them.
A controversy sparked at the hour mark when Chelsea were awarded a free kick from a promising position and the resulting spot kick from Cole Palmer hit the slightly outstretched arm of Jack Grealish inside the penalty box. Chelsea players and staffs were appealing for a penalty but referee Michael Oliver sticked to his original decision after consulting the VAR.
In the 66th minute Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola introduced young Belgian winger Jeremy Doku in the left flank substituting Grealish which eventually proved pivotal. Persistent attack from the left side finally broke the deadlock when a combination play of the two Belgians Doku and De Bruyne split the Chelsea defence and an incisive cross in the box by the later found Bernardo Silva who was at the right place and at the right moment.
His left footed strike found the back of the net after ricocheting Chelsea left back Marc Cucurella. The Portuguese attacker also scored both the goals against Newcastle United in the quarter final stage and last night’s one at the Wembley took his season’s tally to 12 goals.
In the other semi-final tonight, 12 times champion Manchester United will meet second tier side Coventry City, a clash that has a potential to decide a Manchester Derby on 25th of May at the Wembley.
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