The FA Cup Semi-Finals saw Manchester’s giants book their ticket to the final of the oldest national football competition in the world.
As usual, City dominated possession (63%) but struggled to break down Chelsea’s tight defense. As a result, City only registered three shots on target to Chelsea’s five. In fact, Chelsea had higher-quality chances throughout the game.
For example, Blues striker Nicolas Jackson had two great chances in rapid succession in the 49th minute to open the scoring. Jackson first got one-on-one with City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, who saved Jackson’s quick shot to his (Ortega’s) left. Seconds later, Jackson sent a header into the ground from just 3 yards (2.74 meters) out, allowing Ortega to collect the loose ball easily.
Shortly after, there was controversy as Chelsea’s Cole Palmer saw his free-kick deflected by City’s Jack Grealish in the box. Grealish’s arm was away from his body; thus, VAR could have judged this a penalty. Chelsea players protested, but to no avail, as referee Michael Oliver prompted players to continue playing as they were.
In the game’s final ten minutes, City’s control finally paid off, as Bernardo Silva scored from close range in the 84th minute. Winger Jérémy Doku found Kevin De Bruyne making a diagonal run toward the end line. De Bruyne then sent a grass-cutting cross in front of Chelsea goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović, who could not deflect the cross enough, allowing Silva to shoot first time into the goal.
Final Score: Man City 1–0 Chelsea
Manchester United took care of business as favorites to defeat Coventry City at Wembley, less than 24 hours after their “noisy neighbors” won in their respective semi-final.
United saw their superiority in possession and shots first pay dividends in the 23rd minute, when Scott Mctominay latched onto a low cross from Diogo Dalot to tap into an empty net. Then just before the end of the half, Harry Maguire doubled United’s advantage. Maguire jumped well to meet a cross from Bruno Fernandes, consequently sending a powerful header into the back of the net.
United added a third goal to their tally in the 58th minute, when Bruno Fernandes latched onto a deflected shot from Marcus Rashford, shooting with his left to the near post, with a deflection taking it past Coventry goalkeeper Bradley Collins.
Coventry would fight back, scoring in the 71st minute through striker Ellis Simms, who sent a well-placed volley to the near post, bringing the score to 1-3 in United’s favor. Shortly after, in the 79th minute, midfielder Callum O’Hare fired a shot from outside the box, which took a wicked deflection off United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, looping over goalkeeper André Onana. This brought the score to 2-3.
Coventry rode this wave of momentum for the remainder of regular time, meeting a climax in the 90′ + 3rd minute when Coventry were awarded a penalty, following a handball by Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The subsequent penalty was calmly dispatched was American striker Haji Wright, bringing the score to 3-3, and the game to extra time.
Early in the extra time, Bruno Fernandes rattled the crossbar with a powerful first time shot from outside the box. His shot bounced a half a yard in front of the goal line, sparing Coventry City. Then, in the 120th minute, Wright broke free into the box, crossing to Victor Torp, who scored an easy tap in. Coventry players and fans celebrated wildly, but the celebrations were short-lived, as VAR intervened to disallow the goal, as Wright was offside in the buildup.
In the ensuing penalty shootout, Onana saved Coventry’s third penalty attempt from Callum O’Hare. Then Coventry captain Ben Sheaf sent his penalty over the bar, allowing United to win on their following attempt. Rasmus Højlund shot United’s final penalty, and scored to send the Red Devils to the FA Cup Final, for the 22nd time in their history.
Final Score: Coventry City 3–3 Manchester United; 2-4 on Penalties.
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