PLAYER RATINGS: Nicolas Jackson scores just 4/10 after missing huge chances for Chelsea – but which Man City star was the unlikely hero in the FA Cup semi-final victory?
Holders Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 thanks to a late Bernardo Silva goal on Saturday to reach the FA Cup final.
Silva headed the ball home in the 84th minute after Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic parried a shot from former Blues midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
Both goalkeepers were busy with De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish missing chances for City, while Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke saw their efforts saved by Stefan Ortega, stifled by City’s defense or lost to capricious shots.
City will meet Manchester United or Coventry City, who play on Sunday, in the final on May 25.
Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill and Jack Gaughan rated the players.
Bernardo Silva’s late goal secured a place in the FA Cup final for Manchester City
MAN CITY (4-1-4-1)
Stéphane Ortega – 8
Made a collection of huge saves either side of the break. He had a very encouraging season and was an unlikely hero.
Kyle Walker – 6
Installed into the game after a rough start. Yet he still made decisions that could have harmed City.
John Stones – 6
Interestingly, he was not asked to play the role of a hybrid midfielder. Fortunately after Nicolas Jackson surprised him.
Akanji Manual – 6.5
The Swiss never lets Pep Guardiola down. Possession well progressed and formidable in duels.
Nathan Ake – 7
Solid at left back on his return. Good battle with Noni Madueke and some timely tackles when Chelsea broke.
John Stones (right) was not used as a hybrid midfielder at Wembley on Saturday
Rodri – 6
Leggy at the base of the midfield – even though he had last weekend off. Improved massively in the second half.
Bernardo Silva – 7
He didn’t show up himself, perhaps because of a missed penalty. And then appeared with the winner.
Kevin De Bruyne – 6
He looked exceptionally tired from the start. Simple passes regularly go wrong until a drive towards the signature helps Silva win the draw.
Phil Foden – 6
Always threatening, occupying small pockets. All over the park but not enough time spent in the Chelsea box.
Jack Grealish – 7
Probably City’s best before he was sent off. Led his man well, chose the right pass. A big positive point.
Julian Alvarez – 5
Lively without really affecting the proceedings. This role only really works with willing midfield runners.
City substitute Jeremy Doku caused problems for Chelsea defenders late on.
Submarines
Ruben Dias (for Stones, 46) – 6. Jeremy Doku (for Grealish, 65) – 7, Oscar Bobb (for Alvarez, 88)
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Djordjé Petrović – 6.5
Phil Foden was forced wider than he would have liked, ultimately preventing him from scoring. Too bad he inadvertently helped the ball land at Bernardo Silva’s feet for his winner.
Malo Gusto – 6
He crashed riskily into Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, neither taking the chance to try and buy a penalty, thankfully before being substituted after a grueling tussle.
Thiago Silva – 6.5
It didn’t take long for Chelsea fans to start chanting the 39-year-old’s name. Silva brought experience to the backline, but it wasn’t enough.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6
One of several Chelsea defenders fooled by Kevin De Bruyne’s ball past Phil Foden, but showed his defensive acumen overall until the back line was finally breached.
Marc Cucurella – 5.5
Cucurella had played well, including a superb goal-line clearance in the first half, but ultimately Bernardo Silva was his man and he scored the winner at the far post.
Chelsea striker Cole Palmer ousted by Nathan Ake, Rodri and Ruben Dias
Moses Caicedo – 5
Already on a yellow when Jack Grealish claimed Caicedo dug his studs into him during a crucial challenge, which then saw the England midfielder replaced in pain.
Enzo Fernández – 5.5
He returned to the team after recovering from his injury, but not the greatest of games in a midfield partnership that cost £220 million to assemble.
Noni Madueke – 5.5
Everton’s penalty fiasco didn’t cost him his place in the lineup. Puts himself in good positions, but the end product needs work if he’s going to keep getting going.
Cole Palmer – 6.5
Booed by City fans and cheered by Chelsea fans, who feared the worst as he limped from the start. Opportunities constantly created for Nicolas Jackson but without reward.
Cole Palmer looks sharp but ultimately was unable to make a significant contribution
Conor Gallagher – 6
Chelsea’s pressing machine started down the left, where he took a foot full of studs from Kyle Walker. All eyes are on a summer in which it could now be sold.
Nicholas Jackson – 4
In assessing how and why Chelsea failed to win, the focus will be on the plethora of missed opportunities by their striker. What could have been.
Chelsea had to regret several misses from striker Nicolas Jackson in the Cup semi-final.
SUBSCRIBERS
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Madueke, 79) – 6, Axel Disasi (for Gusto, 79) – 6, Raheem Sterling (for Fernandez, 88), Ben Chilwell (for Cucurella, 88)
SUBS (UNUSED)
Marcus Bettinelli, Benoit Badiashile, Carney Chukwuemeka, Deivid Washington, Alfie Gilchrist
DIRECTOR
Mauricio Pochettino 5
Beaten by the Liverpool kids in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley and lost here to a tired Manchester City side. In all likelihood, Chelsea will not secure European football this season.
