Bernardo Silva struck a 84th minute winner to fire reigning champions, Manchester City past Chelsea into 2023-24 FA Cup Final.
Silva fired in his 84th minute winner from Kevin De Bruyne’s pass as Man City moved one final step closer to defending their title.
Chelsea however dominated much of the game but were wasteful with their best chances having fallen to Nicolas Jackson, but the forward saw a shot and header both denied in the 50th minute.
Speaking to BBC One post-match, Silva said that he is pleased by how his team responded to their Champions League exit in midweek.
“Very happy after a very frustrating week for all of us, for me personally. The good thing is in football at Man City, you play every three days. Every three days you have the chance to put things right and now we have a chance to win another trophy.”
Man City will await the winner of Coventry’s semi-final against Manchester United in the Final on Saturday 25 May.
With their hopes of a ‘Double Treble’ now over following their midweek Champions League exit to Real Madrid, Man City struggled to hit their top gears early on and almost conceded just eight minutes in if not for Stefan Ortega’s save of Jackson’s shot.
That scare sparked City into life and De Bruyne two minutes later forced a corner, which saw Rodri’s header hit the right post.
Pep Guardiola’s City however is a constant danger even when not at their vintage best as Phil Foden saw 27th minute cutback pass cleared, after he latched onto Jack Grealish’s cross to the right post.
Chelsea however are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions and have held City twice in the league this season, and almost found a 29th minute breakthrough goal but Nicolas Jackson fumbled his timing to shoot on counter-attack and an enforced cutback pass was cleared.
A scrappy finish to the first half soon ensured during which Cole Palmer almost put Chelsea ahead against his former team if not for Ortega’s 38th minute save, having swapped City for the Blues last summer but neither team found an opening goal before half-time.
Chelsea continued to waste chances early in the second half as Noni Madueke fired wide from 25 yards just three minutes into the restart.
Jackson saw a shot and header denied by Ortega in the 50th minute as Chelsea’s frustrations grew, which further grew in the 56th minute as Palmer’s shot hit Grealish’s hand but referee – Michael Oliver deemed the contact unintentional.
Man City proceeded to weather Chelsea’s waves of attacks and duly got their rewards in the 84th minute as substitute, Jeremy Doku teed up De Bruyne to cut back for Silva to fire in at the right post to spark celebrations amongst the defending champions’ fans.
Chelsea desperately chased an equaliser to force extra-time but City clung on to reach back-to-back finals in this competition.
What’s Next?
Man City return their focus to the Premier League title race with a tricky trip to Brighton at 8pm BST on Thursday 25 April.
Chelsea too must switch focus back to league action as they visit City’s title rival, Arsenal 48 hours earlier on Tuesday 23 April.
Teams
Manchester City: Stefan Ortega, Kyle Walker, John Stones (Dias 45′), Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish (Doku 66′), Julian Alvarez (Bobb 88′)
Substitutes: Ederson, Ruben Dias, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, Sergio Gomez, Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes, Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis
Chelsea: Djorde Petrovic, Malo Gusto (Disasi 79′), Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella (Chilwell 88′), Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez (Sterling 88′), Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke (Mudryk 79′), Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson
Substitutes: Marcus Bettinelli, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Alfie Gilchrist, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Deivid Washington
Referee: Michael Oliver
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