Chelsea vs Manchester City FA Cup final live: Scores, updates and news
A lot of the talk this morning has been about Xabi Alonso closing in on a move to Chelsea. And there is no doubt that would be a positive. But let’s not forget that the Blues are also playing in an FA Cup final against Manchester City.
This is a game that could have major long-term implications as well, and might not be just another chance to win silverware. Chelsea’s chances of making the Champions League are as good as over. If they win the FA Cup, they will at least qualify for the Europa League. Of course, that is easier said than done against a Man City team that has made winning a second habit under Pep Guardiola over the past decade.
Chelsea vs Manchester City FA Cup final live updates
Full-time Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea. Guardiola’s side win another trophy. The Blues lose at Wembley. And with that, they might have bid goodbye to European football as well.
90+3′ Chelsea have not had a decent chance since that Fernandez effort 20 minutes ago.
90+1′ Delap has a decent chance but heads it miles wide. Probably his first touch of the ball since coming on.
90′ Chelsea can’t get a hold of the ball here.
87′ City look like the ones chasing the game while Chelsea can’t find the way out of their own box.
85′ Chelsea have a horror show at the back. Sanchez forced to make another save.
84′ Chelsea need to score. City look more likely to score. A lot more polished on and off the ball.
77′ Both team have chances but can’t make the most of it. A third penalty shot for Chelsea denied.
73′ Enzo Fernandez almost equalises. Just over the bar.
71′ GOAL! Semenyo scores. Splendid finish. Chelsea 0-1 City.
69′ Another corner to City. After Chelsea dominated for about 15 minutes, Guardiola’s side are now back on the front foot.
67′ Corner to Manchester City. Chelsea deal with it.
56′ Free-kick to Chelsea in a prime spot to swing it in. Yellow card for Khusanov as well.
53′ Gusto has acres of space on the flank after some good play by Palmer but the cross is poor.
51′ Colwill almost caught on the ball in front of an open goal. Fortunately, it is a foul by Semenyo. Chelsea need to be careful with playing out from the back though. They have blundered more than once already without paying the price.
47′ Semenyo’s header over the goal but a wake-up call for Chelsea right after the break.
HT Chelsea 0-0 Manchester City
45’+2′ Joao Pedro goes down in the box and wants a penalty. VAR has a look and it is not given. Chelsea have a reason to complain though. Anywhere else on the pitch, that is a foul.
44′ Brilliant positioning from Robert Sanchez to deny Haaland. 0-0
40′ Corner for Chelsea. Palmer puts in the cross and City head it out. Finally some decent football and control for the Blues.
32′ YELLOW CARD for Marc Cucurella. Breaks the counter-attack and takes one for the team.
29′ YELLOW CARD for Enzo Fernandez. Wins the ball but catches Bernardo Silva on the follow through.
27′ Manchester City find the back of the net. But it is offside. Another let off for Chelsea. But they can’t keep playing like this.
23′ Chelsea make a mess trying to play out from the back and it breaks to Erling Haaland in the box. Luckily, he misses.
20′ Chelsea’s first meaningful attack. Corner.
14′ Some good moments for Chelsea, a tight offside call when Joao Pedro was through behind the defence, but mostly, it is still Manchester City on the front foot.
10′ Manchester City starting to dominate.
7′ Chelsea allow Semenyo too much time and space in the box. Thankfully, nothing materialises from it. 0-0
3′ Brilliant pass from Colwill to break the lines but Chelsea can’t make the most of it.
1′ We are underway at Wembley. Manchester City have the early possession of the ball.
The line-ups for the game have been announced and we got it spot on with our predicted XI. Robert Sanchez has returned in goal. Then there is a three man backline of Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Jorrel Hato. Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella are playing as the two wing-backs on the day.
Reece James makes his first start since returning from injury and he will be playing in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo.
Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez have started just behind Joao Pedro. One would imagine that one of those three will have to get on the scoresheet today if Chelsea are to have any hope of winning the FA Cup final. Of course, we would like to be proven wrong.
