Enzo the captain scores for the FA Cup final

Chelsea in crisis. It doesn’t sound like much of a news these days, mainly due to terrible sporting decisions from Chelsea American owners. The last one to appoint an unexperienced Liam Rosenior as the coach, only to sack him months later, when the team all but lost a chance to play in the Champions League next season. So, Calum McFarlane was once again named interim boss and he needed a win, no matter how. He got it, as Chelsea defeated Leeds 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley and will face Manchester City in the finals.

The Blues played much better then against Brighton in the Premier League and the change in the dugout clearly worked, but was it because the players didn’t like Rosenior or because they finally woke up and understood that the season was on the line is not currently known. The supporters didn’t care about that, they only wanted a victory and the finally got one. It wasn’t a flashy performance and the Blues were a better team just for that one goal, but they will be in the FA final come May. Leeds, who is in excellent form recently and secured the Premier League place because of it played badly today. It looked as if any other stronger team played against Chelsea, it would be a win, but the Blues had a bit of luck. They also benefited from the return of Joao Pedro, who didn’t score but was their best player of the field and had numerous chances to get one goal.

Chelsea attacked from the first minute but it was Leeds with a first chance, on the counter. It was 15th minute when Chalobah gave a poor ball and Calvert-Lewin flicked one around for Aaronson who had only Sanchez to beat. Chelsea keeper somehow managed to save it with his foot and it remained 0-0. Before Chelsea took the lead in the 23rd minute, the Blues had an opportunity a few minutes earlier. Enzo popped the ball over for Joao Pedro down the channel of the box and the Brazilian hit the post. But in the next minute it was the captain who scored the goal after a terrible performance in Brighton. Struijk made a mess of a clearance and Neto escaped down the right. Enzo met his cross from seven meters away and scored an easy goal. The Blues had another chance in the 30th minute, when Pedro took an opportunity from 20 meters only to see his shot whistle near the far post.

All doors are open for Cesc Fabregas to return to Chelsea

Chelsea had a chance to put the game away at the start of the second half but Joao Pedro hesitated too long from close range and allowed Leeds defenders to make a late stop. Okafor’s delivery for Calvert-Lewin in the 58th minute was perfect and the former Everton striker rose and headed the ball from 10 meters, but it went straight at Sanchez. In the 63rd minute Gudmundsson's cross was headed out by Chalobah but Tanaka’s hit from the edge went wide. As the game progressed, the Leeds attack faded away while the Blues just wanted to keep the score and didn’t looked too interested in attacking. The game was prolonged for another eight minutes but it wasn’t enough for Leeds as they failed to create a meaningful opportunity and Chelsea will have a chance to compete for a trophy in May.

FA CUP

Semi-finals

Saturday

Manchester City - Southampton 2-1 (0-0)

/Doku 82, Gonzalez 87 - Azaz 79/

Sunday

Chelsea - Leeds 1-0 (1-0)

/Fernandez 23/