Chelsea 1-0 Man City: Hakim Ziyech’s goal puts Blues into FA Cup final and ends City’s quadruple bid

Report as Hakim Ziyech’s goal clinches a 1-0 win for Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley; defeat ends City’s hopes of winning an unprecedented quadruple; Blues will face Leicester or Southampton in the final

Chelsea ended Manchester City’s quadruple bid as Hakim Ziyech’s goal secured a 1-0 win at Wembley to send Thomas Tuchel’s side through to the FA Cup final. Ziyech converted Timo Werner’s squared pass after Chelsea sprang the Manchester City offside trap 10 minutes into the second half and the goal proved decisive in a game of
few chances. City could yet face Chelsea again in the Champions League final after both sides advanced in Europe earlier this week, but they were well below par at Wembley and their problems were compounded by an apparent
ankle injury to Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian was forced off early in the second half following a collision with N’Golo Kante, making him a doubt for next weekend’s Carabao Cup final against Tottenham, and Pep Guardiola’s side were
unable to muster a response after Ziyech’s strike despite dominating possession. GabrielJesusfiredwastefully over from close range with their best chance, while Rodri was denied by Kepa Arrizabalaga from a City corner in stoppage time. Chelsea defended resolutely, clinching their 14th clean sheet in 19 games under Tuchel, and thought they had scored a late second before substitute Christian Pulisic’s strike was ruled out for offside. Ziyech’s goal proved sufficient, though, and the Blues will now be favourites to go on and lift the trophy when they face either Leicester or Southampton in next month’s final.
How Chelsea claimed deserved win Guardiola freshened up his Manchester City side following the midweek win over Borussia Dortmund, making eight changes to Chelsea’s three, but it was Tuchel’s team who started brightest. Most of their attacks were directed down the flanks, with wing-backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James bombing forward at every opportunity and finding plenty of space to run into.

There was an early warning for City when Ziyech put the ball in the net from a Werner cross following a break, but
the goal was ruled out for offside. Chelsea’s wing-backs then combined for the best chance of the first half, with James latching onto a Ziyech pass and launching a deep cross to the far post, where the unmarked Chilwell screwed his volley wide of Zack Steffen’s righthand post. Chelsea were dominating possession at that point, a rarity for any side against Manchester City, and they went close again when James flashed a first-time shot a few yards wide from 25 yards out following a corner. City grew into the game as the half wore on but lacked their usual incisiveness in possession and could only muster a couple of half-chances.
Sources: SkySports