NEW DELHI:
Bernardo Silva
propelled
Manchester City
back into the
FA Cup final
with a late strike sealing a 1-0 victory over
Chelsea
at Wembley on Saturday.
Despite being outplayed for much of the semi-final, Pep Guardiola's side weathered the storm as Chelsea squandered several opportunities before Silva's decisive blow in the 84th minute.
Following their Champions League heartbreak against Real Madrid, City struggled to find their rhythm, particularly with
Erling Haaland
sidelined due to injury.
However, Chelsea's failure to capitalize on their dominance proved costly.
Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson missed a glaring chance, epitomizing their wastefulness in front of goal. Mauricio Pochettino's men paid the price for their lack of clinical finishing, extending their trophy drought.
The match was anticipated as a test for Cole Palmer, facing his former club Chelsea, but despite his threat, it was City's resilience and Chelsea's inability to convert chances that determined the outcome.
City's breakthrough came courtesy of Bernardo Silva, capitalizing on a rebound from Kevin de Bruyne's effort to seal victory and book City's spot in the final against Manchester United or Coventry.
For Chelsea, it was a frustrating result, with Pochettino still searching for his first trophy in England amid a challenging season.
Despite Chelsea's strong start and City's struggles, Silva's late heroics ensured Guardiola's side emerged victorious, providing a much-needed morale boost as they pursue a Premier League and FA Cup double.
(With AFP inputs)
English (US) ·