Chelsea ended Manchester City’s hopes of winning an historic quadruple as they edged a closely-fought FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
City and Chelsea had both secured their places in the last four of the Champions League this week – but Pep Guardiola’s side had their sights set on a unique haul of four trophies as they close in on the Premier League title and also face Tottenham here in the League Cup final on 25 April.
Chelsea had other ideas, however, and they deserved the victory given to them when Hakim Ziyech slid home Timo Werner’s pass in the 55th minute to set up an FA Cup final against either Leicester City or Southampton.
Ziyech had a goal ruled out for offside before he scored but that was enough to beat a lethargic City, who made eight changes from their Champions League win against Borussia Dortmund and now have the added worry of the sight of Kevin De Bruyne limping off injured in the second half.
Chelsea had a very late scare as keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga clawed away Rodri’s injury-time header but manager Thomas Tuchel can now reflect on a hugely satisfying week as his impressive start at Stamford Bridge gathers momentum.
Tuchel faced a huge week as his fine start to life at Chelsea would be further shaped by the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Porto before this FA Cup semi-final meeting with a Manchester City side in hot pursuit of all four major trophies.
And it was no wonder Chelsea’s German manager was sporting a beaming smile at the final whistle as this part of his mission was accomplished in excellent fashion.
City were seen off after Porto were beaten over two legs to leave Chelsea moving towards the climax of their season contemplating a Champions League semi-final against Liverpool’s conquerors Real Madrid and an FA Cup final.
No-one could begrudge them this victory as Chelsea, from the first whistle, showed more purpose and drive than a laboured and much-changed City side.
Ziyech’s pace and finishing power troubled City from the start and it was fitting the man of the match slid in the winner from Werner’s pass, the latter getting his reward for tireless work.
There is organisation, efficiency and threat about this Chelsea side and they have put themselves in with the chance of climaxing what started as a troubled season with silverware.
Man City run out of energy and inspiration
Pep Guardiola always played down the chances of what many regarded as the Holy Grail of winning all four big trophies – the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup and the League Cup.
And he was proved right as City finally ran out of energy and inspiration at Wembley.
City are back here in eight days to play Spurs in the League Cup final, the Premier League is effectively sewn up, and they face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League semi-final.
This still has the potential to be magnificent campaign – the most spectacular and successful in Manchester City’s history – but there will be no quadruple.
Guardiola made eight changes here after the win away to Borussia Dortmund, although you could hardly describe the side he sent out as weakened.
City, however, just lacked spark. Raheem Sterling was subdued once more and Guardiola will anxiously await the medical report on the injured De Bruyne.
Guardiola has huge faith in Ederson’s deputy Zack Steffen, his FA Cup keeper, but he was caught in no-man’s land when he came to solve the problem caused by Werner’s run for the goal.
The bottom line is that even a side as outstanding as Manchester City cannot produce results every time – and this was one of those days.
‘We wanted to be brave’ – what they said
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, speaking to BBC Sport: “It was a very, very strong performance. I’m very happy and proud.
“We played an excellent 35 minutes in the first half. We had to suffer for 10 minutes. We then played another 30 minutes so strong and got the lead and could have got another. I am very proud of my team.
“A good defence is also having the ball and ball possession. It is a very good clean sheet. We were not lucky to escape with a clean sheet, we worked hard for it.
“The guys are ready to cover for each other if anyone loses a duel. We wanted to be brave today with the ball and against the ball and we did it.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC Sport: “We played a good last 15 minutes. We had struggled to find our place in the pockets but congratulations to Chelsea in a tight game.
“We arrived sometimes in that position but after that we didn’t create. We conceded the goal but after we reacted well, especially after Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan came on.
“The team that defends with eight players in the final third it is not easy. This type of game the margin is so tight. In general we controlled well. We didn’t create many clear-cut chances but we arrived more than them.”
On Kevin De Bruyne: “It doesn’t look good, he has pain. We will see. Tomorrow he will have a test.”
Tuchel’s special landmark
- Chelsea have reached the FA Cup final in four of the last five seasons – only Arsenal (21) and Manchester United (20) have reached the competition’s showcase on more occasions than Chelsea (15).
- Chelsea boss Tuchel has become the first ever German manager to reach the English FA Cup final.
- Manchester City have now been eliminated at the semi-final stage in three of their five seasons under Guardiola, with the team knocking them out the other two times going on to win the competition (Arsenal in both 2017 and 2020).
- Since Tuchel’s first game in charge of Chelsea in January, the Blues have kept more clean sheets in all competitions than any other side in the top five European leagues (14).
- Chelsea have kept 14 clean sheets in 19 games in all competitions under Tuchel, one more than they did under Frank Lampard in 29 matches this season.
- Four of Ziyech’s five goals for Chelsea have come in cup competition, while three of his five strikes for the Blues have been assisted by Werner.
- Werner has been involved in 19 goals in all competitions this season (10 goals, 9 assists), at least three more than any other Chelsea player.
- In his 11th appearance for Man City in all competitions, this was the first time goalkeeper Zack Steffen has ended on the losing side, having won each of his first 10 games for the club.
What’s next?
Chelsea are next in action when they host Brighton in the Premier League on Tuesday, 20 April (20:00 BST).
Manchester City travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday, 21 April (20:15 BST) before returning to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final against Tottenham on Sunday, 25 April (16:30 BST).
