By Our Football Staff
Date 20th April 2024 – F.A. Cup Semi-Final – Wembley Stadiu
Manchester City 1
Chelsea 0
B Silva (84′)
HT 0-0
The match began with Chelsea dominating proceedings, as Nicolas Jackson found himself thwarted twice by City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega early in the second half. The tension escalated when Mauricio Pochettino’s side was denied a penalty after a contentious handball incident involving glove-handed Grealish. Referee Michael Oliver waved away appeals, sparking uproar among Chelsea’s ranks.
Adding to the chaos, VAR officials chose not to penalize Grealish, citing his attempt to minimize his body’s size during the free-kick. Pochettino, visibly frustrated, hinted at his disappointment during the post-match press conference, raising questions about the officiating.
Chelsea FA Cup twist
Meanwhile, amidst the drama on the field, Conor Gallagher’s relentless pursuit of City’s defence and Cole Palmer’s audacious attempts on goal provided moments of excitement. However, City’s struggle to find their rhythm was evident, with Chelsea posing a constant threat.
As extra time loomed, Bernardo Silva emerged as the hero for City, converting Kevin De Bruyne’s precise cross to clinch victory. The win kept City’s FA Cup defence on track, propelling them to their second successive final.
Meanwhile: Norfolk six-fingered gloves make £100million profit
