London –
Manchester City advance to the final Cup FOUR this season is over Chelsea 1-0 in the semifinals. This victory maintains The Citizens’ hopes of retaining the title.
Playing at Wembley Stadium, Saturday (20/4/2024), City tried to take control from the start, but Chelsea were the first to threaten in the 7th minute. Nicolas Jackson fired a low shot from inside the penalty box, but it was blocked by goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
The next opportunity came via Cole Palmer in the 11th minute, but his long-range shot was also saved by Ortega. Kevin De Bruyne made a similar attempt against Chelsea in the 15th minute, but it went wide to the left.
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
City had another chance in the 30th minute via Bernardo Silva’s close-range shot, but the ball bounced over the goal. Rodri’s long-range shot in the 36th minute also had the same fate.
Chelsea almost broke through City’s goal in the 37th minute. Through an attack from the right side, the ball was passed to Palmer who was moving in the penalty box, but his shot which was too slow was easily blocked by Ortega. The 0-0 score lasted until halftime.
In the second half, Jackson had a chance in the 49th minute after receiving Conor Gallagher’s pass, but his shot from the edge of the penalty box was saved by Ortega. The wild ball was again controlled by Chelsea and fed to Jackson, but his header was also blocked by Ortega.
City only recorded their first shot on target in the 53rd minute. Phil Foden fired a shot into the left corner of the Chelsea goal, but goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic managed to block the ball.
The entry of Jeremy Doku to replace Jack Grealish in the 66th minute brought a breath of fresh air for Chelsea. The Belgian winger almost scored three minutes later, but his shot was blocked by Petrovic.
The goal City were looking for finally arrived in the 84th minute. Starting from Doku’s action on the left side, he fed De Bruyne who passed the ball in front of the Chelsea goal, but Petrovic blocked it.
The moment Bernardo Silva scored Manchester City’s winning goal. Photo: Getty Images/Sportsphoto/Allstar
The wild ball was met by Bernardo Silva who immediately fired a shot into the right corner of the goal. Even though it hit Marc Cucurella, the ball still rolled in. 1-0 for City lasted until the end. They will compete against the winner of Coventry City vs Manchester United on May 25.
Lineup
Manchester City: Stefan Ortega, Kyle Walker, John Stones (Ruben Dias 46′), Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Rodri, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish (Jeremy Doku 66′), Julian Alvarez (Oscar Bobb 88′ ).
Chelsea: Djordje Petrovic, Marc Cucurella (Ben Chilwell 88′), Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Bad Taste (Axel Disasi 79′), Enzo Fernandez (Raheem Sterling 88′), Moses Caicedo, Noni Madueke (Mykhailo Mudryk 79′), Conor Gallagher, Cole Palmer, Nicholas Jackson.
(adp/bay)