Enzo Fernández fired Chelsea FC into the FA Cup final with a decisive first-half goal in a 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Wembley on Sunday.
The Argentine midfielder’s 23rd-minute header proved enough to seal Chelsea’s place in the final, marking a dramatic turnaround for the Blues in their first match following the dismissal of manager Liam Rosenior.
Fernández’s winner came amid a turbulent period for the club, with the midfielder himself having been at the centre of controversy after hinting at a possible exit during Rosenior’s brief tenure. The situation had reportedly strained relations within the squad and contributed to the club’s poor run of form.
Rosenior was sacked last week after overseeing five consecutive defeats without scoring, Chelsea’s worst run in over a century, culminating in a heavy loss to Brighton.
Under interim boss Calum McFarlane, however, Chelsea produced a more composed performance to keep their season alive.
Leeds nearly took an early lead when Brenden Aaronson broke through on goal in the 15th minute, but his effort failed to beat Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.
Chelsea responded through João Pedro, who struck the post from close range before Fernández broke the deadlock. After Leeds defender Pascal Struijk lost possession deep in his own half, Pedro Neto delivered a precise cross that Fernández headed into the far corner.
The goal ended a lengthy scoring drought for Chelsea, who had gone nearly 300 minutes without finding the net.
Leeds pushed for an equaliser after the break, with substitute Anton Stach forcing a fine save from Sánchez with a powerful long-range effort. Dominic Calvert-Lewin also came close but failed to convert a headed chance.
Tensions flared late in the match following a stoppage for Sánchez’s treatment, with Leeds players accusing the goalkeeper of time-wasting, leading to a brief confrontation on the touchline.
Despite the pressure, Chelsea held firm to secure their place in the final, where they will face Manchester City on May 16 after Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Southampton in the other semi-final.
The victory offers a chance for redemption for Chelsea, whose hopes of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League have faded after a difficult league campaign.
For Leeds, it was a missed opportunity to reach their first FA Cup final in over five decades, despite a spirited second-half display.
Chelsea, eight-time winners of the competition, will now aim to lift the trophy for the first time since 2018 and salvage a season that has been overshadowed by instability and poor results.