Bernardo Silva’s late goal pushed Manchester City past Chelsea and into another FA Cup Final via a 1-0 win at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
City advance to the May 25 final, where they’ll meet the winner of Sunday’s semifinal between Manchester United and Coventry City.
[ LIVE: Manchester City vs Chelsea stats on FotMob.com ]
It was far from a waltz for City, who appeared sluggish following their midweek exit from the Champions League in penalties versus Real Madrid. City keeper Stefan Ortega made five saves and Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson was lively but missed multiple good chances to put Mauricio Pochettino’s men in front.
Now the defending champions turn their complete attention to the Premier League, a division they lead in points-per-game with five matches on the docket before the FA Cup Final.
Chelsea now have just one route to Europe and it’s Premier League play as well. The Blues sit ninth with 47 points, three points off of sixth-place Newcastle and seventh-place Manchester United.
Improved Chelsea still not ready for prime time
While a tired Man City is certainly a bigger test than a injury-ravaged Liverpool, there were similarities here between Chelsea’s League Cup Final loss and this semifinal disappointment.
The Blues let a more experienced team stick around and were stung for that wastefulness.
Man City was clearly lagging in spirit following their dominant loss to Real Madrid at midweek, and Erling Haaland was absent as well. This was a huge chance for Chelsea to go to a second final under Mauricio Pochettino.
The game plan was there but the finish was not.
What’s next?
Chelsea have a horrible run of fixtures, beginning Tuesday at Arsenal. The Blues then meet Aston Villa, Spurs, and West Ham before Forest, Brighton, and Bournemouth round out the season.
Manchester City go to Brighton on Thursday before finishing with Forest, Wolves, Fulham, Spurs, and West Ham.
How to watch Manchester City vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 12:15pm ET Saturday (April 20)
Online: ESPN+
Manchester City vs Chelsea, FA Cup semifinal live updates — By Nick Mendola
Manchester City vs Chelsea final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Bernardo (84')
Bernardo Silva goal (video)! Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea (84th minute)
Manuel Akanji is atop the 18 and spots Jeremy Doku’s run near the left corner.
The Belgian finds countryman Kevin De Bruyne, whose hard cross is diverted by splayed Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic.
Bernardo Silva collects at the back post and belts the ball home for 1-0.
BERNARDO SILVA PUTS CITY AHEAD OF CHELSEA LATE IN THE FA CUP SEMIFINAL!!! pic.twitter.com/E6vvWnt23J
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 20, 2024
Lagging as we enter the final 15 minutes of 90
Possession is still in favor of City but the Premier League champions aren’t doing much with it; City’s put just two of 10 attempts on target.
Chelsea’s been more dangerous — Nicolas Jackson could have at least a brace — but Stefan Ortega has five saves for City.
Jeremy Doku replaced Jack Grealish in the 67th minute. Chelsea’s yet to sub.
Good battle
Nicolas Jackson is at full flight after being played over the top from Chelsea’s half.
Kyle Walker matches the Blues center forward and they battle the whole way into the 18, with Walker’s shoulder sending Jackson to the turf.
Goal kick, City.
City sub
Ruben Dias comes on for John Stones at the break.
Halftime — Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea
It’s all there for either side.
City’s had 62% of the ball and a 5-4 edge in shot attempts, while Chelsea is just ahead in xG (0.25-0.15).
City loks a little out-of-sorts following the midweek exit from the Champions League, and Erling Haaland will not be coming off the bench.
Jackson cannot find finish
There had been a lot of City possession but away goes Chelsea, as Nicolas Jackson drives down the pitch but is surrounded by sky blue shirts.
He dribbles Stefan Ortega but doesn’t have an angle to shoot thanks to backtracking City defenders. His cut back is too light and no shot from a great opportunity.
At the other end, Jack Grealish sends Kevin De Bruyne toward goal only to be foiled by a sliding Trevoh Chalobah.
It’s picking up at Wembley.
Chelsea chance
Maybe a half-chance, as Conor Gallagher finds Cole Palmer and the ex-City man plays Nicolas Jackson into the left side of the box.
A shot from just inside the chalk is easily caught by Stefan Ortega. 0-0, 7'.
Manchester City lineup
Ortega, Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez
Chelsea lineup
Petrovic, Gusto, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer, Jackson
Manchester City focus, team news
City have no injuries and it will be intriguing to see how much Guardiola rotates after the exertions of Wednesday night. The likes of Alvarez, Kovacic, Doku, Stones and Ake could all start. The trio of Manuel Akanji, Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne all came off against Real Madrid and Guardiola said they all asked to come off as they couldn’t continue. That is something to keep an eye on.
Chelsea focus, team news
Chelsea’s injury issues have continued throughout the season but they now have a settled defensive and midfield unit and look comfortable in the way they are playing. Penalty kick squabbles aside, the trio of Palmer, Jackson and Madueke have linked up really well in the attacking third of the pitch, while Mudryk and Gallagher also provide plenty of drive from midfield.
OUT: Christopher Nkunku (thigh), Levi Colwill (foot), Reece James (thigh), Romeo Lavia (hamstring - out for season), Wesley Fofana (torn ACL - out for season), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Robert Sanchez (illness), Axel Disasi (fitness), Enzo Fernandez (undisclosed), Raheem Sterling (fitness)
