Manchester City edged past Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final thanks to Bernardo Silva’s only goal of the game to set up a final with either Manchester United or Coventry.
Chelsea were once again left dejected at Wembley after another late goal was their undoing. City looked off the pace following their quarter-final tie with Real Madrid on Wednesday but a moment of quality from Kevin De Bruyne to set up Silva won the day for City.
Here are the five things we learned from the game.
City’s leggy performance
Despite picking up the tempo in the second half, for large parts of the game Manchester City looked like a team who were slightly spent.
Playing 120 minutes of football against any team will take its toll, but when it’s against Real Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final the stamina levels will understandably drain a little more.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was the uncharacteristic nature of City’s play which was clear evidence that they were off the pace. Twice in the opening 10 minutes, Kyle Walker was robbed by Conor Gallagher, which Chelsea failed to capitalise on. City were also toothless in attack, which is a surprise given they are the second-top scorers in the FA Cup this year, scoring 14 goals from just four games.
Jackson’s chaotic display
In another world, Nicolas Jackson could have been the hero for Chelsea today but his wastefulness in front of goal was for all to see.
He was slipped clean through on goal in the first half but was far too hesitant when he rounded Stefan Ortega and failed to even register a shot from such a promising situation.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the second half, his reluctance to get a shot away for his first chance clearly played on his mind for his second chance, as he ran into the box and took the shot on far too early, hitting a tame effort that was meat and drink for Ortega. Seconds later, he headed wide from three yards out after a wonderful pickout from Noni Madueke.
The Senegalese striker is certainly an enigma. For all his positive build-up play and smart movement to create his chances, it counts for little when he is so careless in front of goal.
Chelsea’s positive showing counts for nothing
It’s fair to criticise Chelsea for passing up so many opportunities, and how costly they turned out to be, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side delivered the sort of performance that has been absent for large parts of the season.
City were hampered by a few injuries and were clearly off the pace following that gruelling tie with Madrid in midweek, but Chelsea managed the game well and caused City problems at both ends of the pitch.
The positive outlook is that they created an abundance of chances and limited City at the other end, but Pochettino will be distraught that his team did not take the initiative. His game plan was near perfect except for his player’s inability to finish their chances.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter the heartache of the Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool back in February, Chelsea delivered a much more confident display, but another late goal means it was all completely academic.
Bernardo Silva makes amends
Silva has been almost flawless since joining Manchester City but his bizarre spot-kick against Real Madrid in midweek was so alien. A player that possesses such composure and class struck one of the most lacklustre penalties you will ever see.
It proved costly, but the hallmark of any top player is how they respond, and how quickly they do so. Less than three days after that blunder, Silva reminded everyone of his importance to this City side and netted the winner late on after a superb pass from Kevin De Bruyne.
Embed from Getty ImagesCity were far from convincing today, but their star players shone through for one brief moment which secured their place in the final.
The Trevoh Chalobah dilemma
Chalobah has been the subject of much transfer speculation over the last few months but since his re-introduction back into the side, he has put in some solid performances.
In doing so, it has provided a problem for Pochettino and Chelsea’s hierarchy about whether or not they should cash in on the 24-year-old or show newfound faith in the defender.
He managed City’s attackers alongside Thiago Silva pretty comfortably up until Bernardo Silva’s winner, which he could do little to prevent.
