Enzo Fernandez delivered a standout performance to lift Chelsea's spirits on Sunday, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Wembley to secure an FA Cup final meeting with Manchester City. The win came amid ongoing turmoil at the club following the midweek sacking of head coach Liam Rosenior after just 106 days in charge.
Fernandez's Redemption
The Argentina international, who cost Chelsea £107 million ($144 million), netted in the 23rd minute with a powerful header from Pedro Neto's cross. It was a moment of redemption for the captain, who had been suspended by the club for the quarterfinal win over Port Vale after making controversial comments about wanting to play for Real Madrid. Despite ongoing speculation about his future, with Manchester City also linked, Fernandez scored his 13th goal of the campaign.
Interim boss Calum McFarlane, who will lead the team until the end of the season, praised Fernandez: "He's a winner. He's got so much talent, he's got so much fight, he's massive for this group. The best thing about Enzo is that he can do a bit of everything. When it gets tough, you see the fight in him, driving the group on, making tackles, fighting for every loose ball. He was exceptional."
Sanchez's Heroics
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez also played a crucial role, making key saves to deny Brenden Aaronson and Anton Stach. McFarlane highlighted the importance of the result: "It was important to break the momentum and the form we were in. One moment, one result, one performance can change that. We want to win every single game from now to the end of the season."
Chelsea, who last won the FA Cup in 2022, now face Manchester City in the final. The victory was a much-needed boost for a club in disarray, with fans disgruntled by the team's decline since winning the FIFA Club World Cup last summer. The sacking of Rosenior, who only replaced Enzo Maresca in January, means Chelsea are searching for their sixth manager in four years under BlueCo's ownership.
Match Highlights
The match was a tense affair, with Leeds having chances to equalize. In the 14th minute, Sanchez denied Aaronson with an outstretched boot after a counterattack. Chelsea took control after Fernandez's goal, with Joao Pedro hitting the post and volleying wide. Leeds made changes at halftime, bringing on Joe Rodon and Stach, and Stach forced a fine save from Sanchez with a swerving strike. The Chelsea keeper also saved a header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 58th minute. Leeds had further efforts off target from Stach and Ao Tanaka, but could not find the net.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke, whose side made their first FA Cup semifinal appearance since 1987, expressed disappointment: "We would have loved to let them dream a bit longer. Perhaps they were a bit too nervous to be at their very best level. From tomorrow onwards, we concentrate on our bread and butter business—earning survival in the top flight."
Chelsea's recent form had been dreadful, with five successive top-flight losses without scoring a goal—a first since 1912. This win provides a glimmer of hope as they prepare for the final against Manchester City.
