Chelsea ensured their spot in the FA Cup finals for the first time in five years with an Hakim Ziyech strike giving Thomas Tuchel’s men a hard-earned win over Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Heading into the Stamford Bridge showdown, the Blues had suffered a loss in their most recent outing which came against FC Porto in the second leg of their Champions League last-eight meeting.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
The west Londoners started on the front foot at their own patch against the Premier League table-toppers but were unable to get the better of the City backline despite Ziyech working his magic in the attacking end of the pitch.
Reece James was dynamic as well while pacing down the field on the right side and the England international’s deliveries into the box should have been put to better use by the likes of Timo Werner and Mason Mount.
Both sides went into the half-time break with the scoreline nil-nil as a show of defensive solidarity across the pitch had helped keep the stalemate going.
Eventually, the breakthrough came when Timo Werner’s surge forward on the turf led to City goalie Zac Steffen racing out of his sticks which allowed the former to square the ball for Ziyech to slot into the back of the net.
The Moroccon international came very close to doubling his account for the evening when found out by a sublime Ben Chilwell pass only for Steffen to defy the Chelsea playmaker from making it 2-0.
FT. COME ON!!! 💙 WE'RE IN THE FA CUP FINAL!!! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/lA0xCYV19H
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 17, 2021
Tuchel’s men then stepped up their defensive gears and prevented the visitors from getting their equaliser before the final whistle at the end of five minutes of stoppage time ensured Chelsea’s journey into the FA Cup finale.
