Following an intense and captivating Wembley semifinal showdown, Manchester City emerged victorious over Chelsea with a 1-0 scoreline on Saturday, courtesy of a late strike by Bernardo Silva, securing their spot in the FA Cup final.
Silva capitalized on an opportunity in the 84th minute, slotting the ball home after Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic parried a shot from former Blues player Kevin De Bruyne.
Despite Chelsea’s efforts, including opportunities for Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer, who impressed with four goals against Everton in the league just days prior, they couldn’t find the back of the net.
The final on May 25 will see City face either second-tier Coventry City or Manchester United, who are set to clash on Sunday.
For Pep Guardiola’s side, the victory offered a semblance of solace following their recent Champions League quarterfinal exit to Real Madrid on penalties.
Silva expressed his elation, especially after a challenging week, stating, “The beautiful thing about football is that if you play for Man City, you play every three days, which gives you a chance to exact some retribution and make amends after two or three days.”
With a two-point lead over their Premier League rivals, City remains focused on securing a domestic double.
On the other hand, Chelsea squandered several promising opportunities, adding to their disappointment following their League Cup final loss to Liverpool two months earlier.
Nicolas Jackson, in particular, was unable to convert chances, with his attempts in the ninth minute and early in the second half thwarted by City’s Ortega.
The match culminated in a missed last-ditch free kick by Mykhailo Mudryk, further compounding Chelsea’s woes and adding to the frustration for manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea’s history against Manchester City in the FA Cup hasn’t been favorable, with the club now facing their sixth defeat in eight matches, including a loss in the previous season’s third round.
