Defending champions Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 with a late goal from Bernardo Silva on Saturday to reach the FA Cup final.
Silva side-footed the ball in the 84th minute after Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic saved a shot from former Blues midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
Both goalkeepers were busy with De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish missing opportunities for City, while Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke had efforts saved by Stefan Ortega, smothered by the City defense or lost to wayward shots.
City will face either Manchester United or Coventry City, who play on Sunday, in the final on May 25.
Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill and Jack Gaughan rated the players.
Bernardo Silva’s late goal ensured Manchester City’s place in the FA Cup final
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MAN CITY (4-1-4-1)
Esteban Ortega – 8
He completed a collection of big saves either side of half-time. He enjoyed a very encouraging season and was an unlikely hero.
Kyle Walker – 6
He settled into the game after an erratic start. Still, he made decisions that could have hurt City.
John Stones – 6
Interestingly, he was not asked to act as a hybrid midfielder. Lucky after Nicolas Jackson surprised him.
Manuel Akanji – 6.5
The Swiss never disappoints Pep Guardiola. He progressed possession well and was formidable in duels.
Nathan Aké – 7
Solid at left back on his return. Good battle with Noni Madueke and some timely tackles when Chelsea broke down.
John Stones (right) was not used as a hybrid midfielder at Wembley on Saturday.
Rodri – 6
Leggy at the base of the midfield, even though he was off last weekend. He improved tremendously in the second half.
Bernardo Silva – 7
He did not appear, perhaps because of the hangover from the missed penalty. And then the winner appeared.
Kevin De Bruyne – 6
He seemed exceptionally tired from the start. Simple passes often went wrong until a shot toward the baseline helped Silva win the tie.
Phil Foden – 6
Always threatening, occupying small pockets. All over the park, but she didn’t spend enough time in the Chelsea box.
Jack Grealish – 7
Probably City’s best before being forced to leave. He drove well towards his man, chose the right pass. A big positive.
Julián Álvarez – 5
Animated without really affecting the process. That role only really works with willing runners from the center of the field.
City substitute Jeremy Doku caused problems for Chelsea defenders late
Subs
Ruben Dias (for Stones, 46) – 6. Jeremy Doku (for Grealish, 65) – 7, Oscar Bobb (for Álvarez, 88)
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Djordje Petrovic – 6.5
It forced Phil Foden to open up more than he would have liked, ultimately preventing him from scoring. Unfortunately, he inadvertently helped the ball land at Bernardo Silva’s feet for the winning goal.
Bad Taste – 6
He riskily fell to the ground on top of Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, fortunately neither took the opportunity to try and buy a penalty before being substituted after a grueling fight.
Thiago Silva – 6.5
It didn’t take long for Chelsea fans to start chanting the 39-year-old’s name. Silva brought experience to the rear but it was not enough.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6
One of several Chelsea defenders fooled by Kevin De Bruyne’s ball behind Phil Foden, but showed his overall defensive talent until it was finally breached over the backline.
Marc Cucurella – 5.5
Cucurella had put in a good performance, including a superb goal-line clearance in the first half, but in the end Bernardo Silva was his man and scored the winning goal at the far post.
Chelsea striker Cole Palmer is replaced by Nathan Ake, Rodri and Ruben Dias
Moisés Caicedo – 5
Already on a yellow card, when Jack Grealish claimed Caicedo stabbed him with his studs during a crunching challenge, which then saw the England midfielder substituted in pain.
Enzo Fernandez – 5.5
He returned to the team after recovering from his injury, but it was not the best of games for a midfield partnership that cost £220m to build.
Noni Madueke – 5.5
Everton’s penalty fiasco did not cost him his place in the lineup. He puts himself in good positions, but the final product needs to be improved if he wants to keep going.
Cole Palmer – 6.5
Booed by City fans and cheered by Chelsea fans, who feared the worst when he limped from the start. Opportunities constantly created for Nicolas Jackson, but no reward.
Cole Palmer looks classy but ultimately failed to make a significant contribution
Conor Gallagher – 6
Chelsea’s pressing machine started on the left, where they received a studded foot from Kyle Walker. All eyes on a summer in which it could already be sold.
Nicholas Jackson – 4
In assessing how and why Chelsea did not win, the focus will be on the large number of missed opportunities by their striker. What could have been.
Chelsea regretted several mistakes by striker Nicolas Jackson in the Cup semi-final
SUBS
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Madueke, 79) – 6, Axel Disasi (for Gusto, 79) – 6, Raheem Sterling (for Fernández, 88), Ben Chilwell (for Cucurella, 88)
SUBS (NOT USED)
Marcus Bettinelli, Benoit Badiashile, Carney Chukwuemeka, Deivid Washington, Alfie Gilchrist
MANAGER
Mauricio Pochettino 5
Beaten by the Liverpool kids in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley and lost here to a tired Manchester City team. In all likelihood, Chelsea will not secure European football this season.
