Chelsea End Man City's Quadruple Dreams
18 April, 2021
FA Cup Semi-Final
Result: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester City
Date: 17 April 2021
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Manchester City's hopes of clinching the quadruple were dashed after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, who advanced to the FA Cup final on Saturday night.
Man City made wholesale changes, with only Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Ruben Dias retaining their places as the Blues made three alterations, as shot-stopper Kepa continued his cup run alongside recalls for Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Ziyech thought he previously given Chelsea an early on lead in the sixth minute after a side-footed finish from Werner's cut-back however the goal was disallowed for offside in the build-up.
Ben Chilwell had a glorious chance to break the deadlock for Thomas Tuchel's charges in the 18th minute after a cross from Reece James found him unmarked at the trunk post but he struck his volley wide.
James also came close for the Blues in 33rd minute after a pull-back by Chilwell but his first-time strike from the edge of the box missed wide and the sides visited the break goalless.
Tuchel's men were on leading foot from the break, as Ziyech finally broke the deadlock for them 10 minutes inside second stanza with a finish right into a gaping net after another square pass from Werner.
While City struggled to check Kepa, Ziyech could have doubled the lead for Chelsea 3 minutes later after going clear on goal but his low shot was saved by shot-stopper Zack Steffen.
Pep Guardiola made a tactical change in the 64th minute by bringing on IIkay Gundogan in place of Ferran Torres while six minutes later Tuchel induced Christian Pulisic in place of Mason Mount.
The overall game was on the edge in the closing stages, with Man City vulnerable on counter-attacks and Chelsea made a double change within the last 10 minutes, as Kai Havertz and Emerson came on for Werner and Ziyech.
Pulisic thought he had sealed the cope with the next goal for the Blues after going on a run inside box and fired a strike in to the far corner however the goal was disallowed for offside, however, Chelsea held to clinch a spot in the ultimate, against the winner between Leicester City and Southampton.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za