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Enzo Fernandez headed a first-half winner as Chelsea beat Leeds 1-0 at Wembley to seal their place within the FA Cup last 4 days after sacking head coach Liam Rosenior.
Chelsea put their poor latest type and off-field turmoil behind them to provide an improved show underneath interim head coach Calum McFarlane and as Leeds fell in need of their latest requirements, Fernandez’s effort proved decisive.
The Blues will return to Wembley on Might 16 to face Manchester Metropolis within the last – their first since 2022 after they misplaced to Liverpool on penalties.
After a run of 5 straight Premier League defeats with out scoring – their worst since 1912 – Chelsea’s choice to dismiss Rosenior earlier within the week seems to have been vindicated, for now.
This conflict evoked reminiscences of Chelsea’s win in a brutal FA Cup last replay between the 2 rivals in 1970, whereas they might hardly have a extra contrasting FA Cup pedigree.
Since Leeds final reached the final 4 in 1987, Chelsea have lifted the trophy seven occasions and have featured in 13 finals and 17 semi-finals.
Ao Tanaka wasted an early likelihood for Leeds as his free-kick sailed over the crossbar and Chelsea captain Fernandez fired straight at goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
Leeds have been on the again foot for the primary quarter-hour, however ought to have taken the lead when Brenden Aaronson ran clear on to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s very good cross, solely to see his low shot saved by Robert Sanchez’s outstretched leg.
Chelsea, unrecognisable from their shambolic defeat at Brighton in midweek, have been denied by the woodwork quickly after as Joao Pedro’s low effort struck the bottom of a publish earlier than the Londoners took a Twenty third-minute lead.
Leeds defender Pascal Struijk gave the ball away in midfield and when the ball was shortly performed huge, Pedro Neto’s inch-perfect cross was headed dwelling by Fernandez for his thirteenth objective of the season in all competitions.
Joao Pedro flashed one other effort huge as Chelsea, sharper in all areas, continued to dictate they usually have been worthy of their half-time lead.
Leeds changed James Justin and Jaka Bijol with Joe Rodon and Anton Stach throughout the break and the German midfielder made an prompt impression as his thumping drive pressured Sanchez to parry.
Taking part in in the direction of their very own followers, Leeds upped their recreation and loved extra possession, however got one other scare when Alejandro Garnacho’s shot was deflected over the crossbar.
Calvert-Lewin headed straight at Sanchez and after Moses Caicedo was booked for his problem on Stach, Leeds skipper Ethan Ampadu and Romeo squared up on the touchline because the German acquired therapy.
Each side struggled to create clear-cut possibilities and as Leeds grew more and more annoyed, Strujk was booked for his foul on Joao Pedro.
Daniel Farke’s aspect lacked the identical cohesion that had lifted them to with touching distance of top-flight security in latest weeks they usually have been unable to mount sustained strain.
Stach was wayward with a speculative effort and Calvert-Lewin didn’t latch on to a deep cross to the far publish in time added on as Leeds’ bid for a primary FA Cup last look since 1973 fell quick.
