Chelsea swiftly got back on track after the departure of Liam Rosenior, clinching a 1-0 semi‑final win over Leeds United at Wembley and booking a showdown with Manchester City in the FA Cup final. The former manager had publicly criticised his squad for an "unacceptable" display in a 3-0 loss to Brighton, a defeat that ultimately cost him his job. Yet, under interim coach Calum McFarlane, the Blues displayed composure and authority on the big stage, turning a bleak weekend into a hopeful one. The match unfolded quickly.
After a five‑game Premier League run without a goal that saw Rosenior lose his position, Chelsea needed only 23 minutes to break the deadlock against Leeds. Enzo Fernández, who had been omitted from two recent fixtures after hinting at a possible summer exit, wore the captain's armband and rose to the occasion. From the opening whistle he seemed determined, positioning himself perfectly to meet Pedro Neto's cross and heading the ball into the net for the sole goal of the game.
Fernández's contribution echoed his earlier heroics, having scored a dramatic 94th‑minute equaliser against Manchester City in January, also under McFarlane's interim stewardship. Both sides created chances before the breakthrough. Leeds' goalkeeper Robert Sánchez made a spectacular save, stretching his right foot to deny Brenden Aaronson a clear chance after Dominic Calvert‑Lewin's clever flick.
Moments later, João Pedro unleashed a powerful shot from a Fernández pass that rattled the near post, but the ball refused to find the back of the net. In the second half Leeds attempted to open up the game by shifting to a back four formation. Their efforts were thwarted when substitute Anton Stach struck from distance, only to see Sánchez produce another impressive stop.
A contentious moment saw Sánchez go down for treatment, prompting McFarlane to issue tactical instructions to Fernández; the goalkeeper quickly recovered and continued. Chelsea's disciplined game management limited Leeds' opportunities to force an equaliser, ending the Yorkshire side's seven‑match unbeaten run. The defeat forces Leeds to refocus on their Premier League survival battle, where they now sit six points clear of the relegation zone and face recently relegated Burnley in their next fixture.
For Chelsea, the cup triumph does not erase the challenges they face in the league. The club must still secure a Champions League place, but a season marked by upheaval could still culminate in silverware at Wembley next month. Interim manager Calum McFarlane reflected on the win: "It was crucial to get the victory and break the negative momentum we had been in.
We believed we could do it today, and that belief changes the atmosphere within the squad. It gives us confidence for the next five games." He added that reaching the final left little time for contemplation: "You don't have time to soak in the fact you're at Wembley. You're focused on delivering the highest performance, and the experience is overwhelming.
Maybe at the end of the season we can truly appreciate it." Leeds' boss Daniel Farke expressed disappointment but praised his team's effort: "We gave our supporters something to dream about and would have loved to extend that dream. The statistics – expected goals, shots, big chances – suggest we were the better side. However, we were not at our fluid best in the first half, losing the ball in possession and appearing a bit nervous.
Playing in front of 90,000 fans is a rare experience for us, and that pressure showed." He also dismissed speculation about a tactical timeout, stating, "After a loss I want to show class, not make excuses." Looking ahead, Farke emphasized that Leeds will not dwell on the defeat: "We have nothing to lose today, but a lot to win. Our supporters and club have much to be proud of, and from tomorrow we focus on our bread and butter – the league fight." Chelsea's journey to the final marks their sixth appearance in the FA Cup final in the last decade, underscoring a period of consistent cup success despite league inconsistencies. With Fernández leading the charge and McFarlane steering the ship, the Blues now have a realistic chance to topple Pep Guardiola's Manchester City on 16 May, potentially salvaging an otherwise turbulent season with a coveted trophy.