Chelsea bowed out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage after losing 1-0 to holders Manchester City. Bernardo Silva struck late to send City into the final, knocking out Chelsea for the second time in as many seasons.
Chelsea had lost three consecutive FA Cup finals before being knocked out to City in the last two campaigns. It’s also the second time Chelsea have lost at Wembley this season, after February’s League Cup final defeat to Liverpool.
Chelsea should have scored in the first-half
Chelsea capitalised on a defensive error, but Nicolas Jackson failed to make it count, shooting tamely into Stefan Ortega. He slipped when taking the shot and couldn’t direct his chance into either corner, so it was an opportunity wasted.
City nearly made him pay, coming very close to opening the scoring through Phil Foden. The 23-year-old collected a through ball from Kevin De Bruyne and rounded Djordje Petrovic but had an unfavourable shooting angle.
Jackson had a chance to rectify his miss after breaking the offside trap, but he hesitated and lost the ball. The 22-year-old was put through on goal by Enzo Fernandez and rounded Ortega but didn’t shoot. He then tried to cut the ball back but lost possession, so it was another chance wasted.
Chelsea would break away again through Malo Gusto on the right, but his cutback to Jackson was cleared. Noni Madueke picked up the loose ball but hesitated and had his chance blocked.
Cole Palmer had a chance of his own after jinking inside the area, but Ortega was equal to his effort. Palmer brilliantly ghosted past Rodri in the box but hit a tame side-footed effort.
Chelsea made to rue missed opportunities
The second half went the way of the first with Chelsea having clear-cut opportunities but not burying them. Jackson was put through on goal again but couldn’t beat Ortega in a one-on-one. His low effort was tipped away, and Ortega saved his follow-up header too.
City had a chance of their own with Foden forcing a save from Petrovic. He hit a first-team effort inside the area after a cutback from Jack Grealish. Chelsea then had a credible penalty shout after Palmer’s free-kick was deflected wide of the post via Grealish’s arm.
But all the missed opportunities would come back to haunt Mauricio Pochettino’s side, as City struck late through Silva. Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne missed opportunities of their own before that, but Silva made no mistake.
After a De Bruyne cutback wasn’t cleared, Silva struck an effort that was deflected into the back of the net. Chelsea would feel hard done by but only had themselves to blame for the missed chances.
