England 🏴 FA CUP 🏴 SEMI-FINAL
26.04.2026 3 p.m.
Venue:Wembley Stadium
CHELSEA vs LEEDS
My take on the match
1. Chelsea did what they had to—nothing more
They weren’t amazing, but they were controlled and efficient. After going 1–0 up, they managed the game pretty well rather than pushing for more. Given their recent chaos (manager sacking, poor form), that kind of composed performance matters.
2. Fernández stepped up big time
He was the difference. Not just the goal, but leadership too. In a tense game like that, one moment decides it—and he delivered.
3. Leeds will regret it
Honestly, Leeds had chances:
Aaronson 1v1 saved
A few decent second-half openings
They actually had more shots overall, but lacked finishing quality.
That’s the story of their game—good effort, poor end product.
4. Big-game nerves showed
Leeds looked a bit overwhelmed early on (understandable—it’s Wembley, semi-final, first time in decades). By the time they settled, Chelsea were already ahead.
Overall verdict
Chelsea: Solid, pragmatic, not spectacular—but effective
Leeds: Competitive, but wasteful and slightly naive in key moments
It’s one of those matches where:
The better moment, not the better team overall, wins.
And the last……. .
Final:Chelsea vs Manchester City
The reality check
Manchester City are still the benchmark. Under Pep Guardiola, they control games better than anyone—possession, pressing, chance creation. In a one-off final, that usually translates into dominance.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are still a bit unpredictable. There’s talent, but not always cohesion.
Why Chelsea could win
Cup finals aren’t about being the better team over 38 games—they’re about 90 minutes.
They’ve already shown resilience
Knocking out teams and grinding results builds belief.
Match-winners exist
If Enzo Fernández controls midfield again or someone produces a moment (set piece, counterattack), that can be enough.
Tactical setup
If Chelsea sit compact, absorb pressure, and counter well, they can frustrate City. That’s historically one of the few ways to hurt them.
Why City are still favorites
▪︎Control of big games – they suffocate opponents
▪︎Squad depth – quality off the bench changes matches
▪︎Experience – they’ve been here many times
What it likely comes down to
▪︎If City score early → it could get one-sided
▪︎If Chelsea keep it 0–0 for long → pressure shifts, game opens up
▪︎Set pieces and small mistakes could decide it
VERDICT:
Chelsea probably have something like a 30–35% chance—not huge, but far from impossible.
If they’re disciplined and clinical, they can absolutely pull it off. But if it turns into an open, technical battle, that usually plays right into City’s hands.
