Bernardo Silva scored late in the second half to hand Manchester City a 1-0 win over Chelsea in their English FA Cup semi-final tie at Wembley on Saturday.
The Portuguese midfielder was in the right place at the right time to tuck in six minutes from time and seal a win that dashed Chelsea’s hopes of a trophy this season.
Three days after crashing out of the UEFA Champions League, a jaded Man City were without Erling Haaland, while Stefan Ortega was also in goal ahead of Ederson.
Chelsea had several chances to take the lead in both halves but a wasteful Nicholas Jackson denied the Blues, while Cole Palmer was unable to make his efforts count.
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Shortly after a penalty appeal by Chelsea fell on deaf ears, Man City scored the only goal of the encounter.
Jeremy Doku, on as a substitute, worked the ball to Kevin de Bruyne whose cut-back was diverted into the path of Silva by Chelsea’s goalkeeper, and the Man City player took full advantage to slot the ball into the net.
The victory is a second Wembley heartbreak for Mauricio Pochettino who lost the Carabao Cup final earlier in the year. The Blues have now failed to defeat Man City in nine consecutive matches.
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Man City, seven-time FA Cup winners and current holders, will face either crosstown rivals, Manchester United, or Coventry City in the final.
