Chelsea booked their place in the FA Cup final after Enzo Fernandez’s first-half header secured a 1-0 victory over Leeds United in a tense semi-final at Wembley.
Fernandez powered home Pedro Neto’s cross in the 23rd minute to give interim manager Calum McFarlane a winning start after Liam Rosenior’s dismissal earlier this week.
Leeds missed key chances before and after the goal, with Robert Sanchez denying Brenden Aaronson early on and later saving from Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin as Daniel Farke’s side pushed for an equaliser.
Chelsea nearly extended their lead when Joao Pedro struck the post, but they were forced to defend resolutely in the closing stages.
The win sends Chelsea into the final against Manchester City on Saturday, 16 May, as they aim to avoid a fourth straight FA Cup final defeat.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
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