Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea: Bernardo Silva strike sends Pep Guardiola’s side into FA Cup final

Bernardo Silva struck a late winner as Manchester City kept their hopes of a domestic double alive by beating a profligate Chelsea 1-0 to reach the 2024 FA Cup final.

Pep Guardiola’s holders lacked a cutting edge in the absence of the injured Erling Haaland and failed to register a shot on target in the first 45 with Phil Foden unable to find a finish after one presentable opening that came after rounding Djordje Petrovic.

Chelsea were a major threat on the counter attack with Nicolas Jackson somehow fluffing his lines when sent clean through while Cole Palmer saw a clever effort well saved after some bewitching footwork in the penalty area.

City looked leggy following their exertions in their UEFA Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in midweek and Jackson again blew two gilt-edged opportunities for Chelsea following the restart.

They proved to be decisive misses as City made the Londoners pay six minutes from time when Silva slammed in Kevin de Bruyne’s cut back at the far post.

City will now meet Manchester United or Coventry in the FA Cup final on May 25.

City’s hopes of back-to-back trebles may be over, but another domestic double is firmly within their sights despite barely getting out of second gear here.

Guardiola’s men hold the edge in the title run-in and know six wins from their last six Premier League matches would see them become the first side to win four Premier League titles in a row.

Following the league climax, The Citizens will now return to Wembley for the FA Cup final where they could well face a repeat of last year’s showdown with neighbours Manchester United.

The defeat to Real Madrid in Europe will continue to smart, but this was the perfect tonic, and City still have it all to play for as heavy favourites to make it a magnificent seven in the final furlong of the 2023-24 campaign.

Bernardo Silva (Man City). The Portugal international was peripheral for long periods in a game where the likes of Palmer and Jackson should have won it for Chelsea. They didn’t and Silva popped up with the match-winning strike to ensure the holders will play in another final come May.

MAN CITY: Ortega 7, Walker 7, Akanji 7, Ake 7, Stones 6, Rodri 6, Foden 7, De Bruyne 7, Bernardo Silva 7*, Grealish 6, Alvarez 6. Subs: Dias 6, Doku 7, Bobb n/a.

CHELSEA: Petrovic 7, Gusto 7, Chalobah 7, Silva 7, Cucurella 7, Caicedo 6, Gallagher 6, Madueke 7, Palmer 7, Fernandez 6, Jackson 5. Subs: Mudryk 6, Disasi 6, Sterling n/a, Chilwell n/a.

14’ – MAN CITY CHANCE! De Bruyne teases a sublime ball in-behind for Foden, who rounds Petrovic but can't find the finish from a very tight angle.

30’ – CHELSEA CHANCE! Jackson blows a HUGE opportunity for Chelsea as he races clear on Ortega, rounds the keeper and then opts against shooting. He tries to tee up Palmer but passes straight to a City shirt and the opening goes begging.

37’ – CHELSEA CHANCE! Chalobah darts down the right and cuts it back for Palmer. Lovely feet engineers the chance for the youngster but his attempt at the slot finish towards the far corner is superbly denied by Ortega.

49’ – CHELSEA CHANCES! Jackson is set clear but his low side-footer is well blocked by Ortega. Chelsea keep the attack alive but Jackson again fails to break the deadlock as he heads straight at the keeper from close range.

84’ – GOAL! – Man City 1-0 Chelsea: (Bernardo Silva). The holders snatch the lead! Bernardo Silva lashes in at the far post after Doku and De Bruyne had combined down the left to unlock Chelsea at the byline.

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