Manchester City edged past Chelsea to reach the FA Cup final, after Bernardo Silva’s late goal kept Manchester City’s double hopes alive as Pep Guardiola’s side secured a 1-0 FA Cup semi-final victory against Chelsea.
It was redemption for Silva after his poor spot-kick played a key role in City’s loss on penalties to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter final on Wednesday.
With extra-time looming, the Portuguese midfielder turned in the winner at the far post from Kevin de Bruyne’s cross six minutes from time at the Wembley Stadium.
Chelsea will regret missing a host of chances, nearly all falling to striker Nicolas Jackson, as they suffered another agonising Wembley experience after the extra-time defeat on penalties against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were also denied a penalty when Cole Palmer’s free-kick struck the hand of Jack Grealish. Referee Michael Oliver waved away the appeals before VAR stuck with the on-field decision, much to the bemusement of Pochettino and his players.
City remain on course for another double of Premier League and FA Cup and will now face either arch-rivals Manchester United or Championship side Coventry City in the final.
Guardiola’s team remains unbeaten in 29 matches in all competitions, the longest run in the club’s history (W23 D6). (Wednesday’s game against Real Madrid goes down as a draw since penalty shootouts don’t count in wins/draws/losses stats.)
They are one win from winning the FA Cup for the third time in six seasons.
