Chelsea beat Leeds to set up FA Cup final with Man City

Chelsea have reached the final of the English FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Enzo Fernandez scored the winner in the first half of the combative encounter in which Leeds United pushed till the last seconds but were unable to breach the Blues who registered a rare clean sheet.

Chelsea had fired coach Liam Rosenior earlier in the week after seven defeats in eight matches, including three consecutive defeats without scoring a goal, and the club handed over the reins to Calum McFarlane, interim coach, who masterminded a victory that ended the losing streak.

Robert Sanchez, Chelsea goalkeeper, stopped his team from going behind in the opening minutes, saving Brenden Aaronson’s strike with his legs at point blank range, before Fernandez responded with the opener.

The Argentine midfielder provided the finishing touch to Neto’s cross with a header at the back post to score Chelsea’s first goal in 300 minutes of football.

Noah Okafor also missed another good chance in the 15th minute, allowing Chelsea take their narrow lead into the break.

The Stamford Bridge side should have doubled the lead through Joao Pedro but he could not put the finishing touch to a fantastic team move. The defence stayed resolute in the closing stages to seal the important win that continues their perfect record of seven wins — two in the semi finals — against Leeds in the FA Cup.

Chelsea’s first win in four matches in all competitions qualifies the club for a 17th FA Cup final, ending Leeds United’s hopes of a first final since 1973.

Chelsea will face Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 16, at Wembley stadium.