The FA Cup semi-finals took place this weekend and we now know who will be returning to Wembley in May. Man City vs Liverpool was the headline semi-final this season, overshadowing a London derby between Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Liverpool and Chelsea secured passage into the finals, meaning the FA Cup final will be a repeat of the Carabao Cup’s final, which Liverpool narrowly edged on penalties.
SF 1: Manchester City 2-3 Liverpool
As if last week’s entertaining 2-2 draw wasn’t enough, the two best teams on land produced another goal-fest. City rested many of their key players, giving rare starts to Zack Steffen, Nathan Ake and Fernandinho. The goalkeeper was culpable for the second goal as he was swiftly closed down by Sadio Mane. A lively first half from the Reds saw them go 3-0 ahead at half time. Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva scored to reduce the deficit, but Liverpool held on to keep their Quadruple hopes alive.
This is Liverpool’s first FA Cup final in a decade. They remain one point behind Pep Guardiola’s Man City in the title race and are heavy favourites to make the Champions League final. Jurgen Klopp could have a blockbuster end to this season.
SF 2: Chelsea 2-0 Crystal Palace
After an exhausting trip to Madrid, facing Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace was not going to be easy. That’s how the first half panned out as the Blues failed to replicate their Madrid heroics. But they took control in the second half and were rewarded with Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s first goal for Chelsea in three years. Soon after, man of the moment Mason Mount scored to keep his run going and confirm Chelsea’s return to Wembley next month.
Having failed at the final hurdle in the last two seasons, Chelsea will be hoping it will be third time lucky this time. Another motivation will be to avenge their heartbreaking Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool in February. An up-and-down season could yet end in silverware for Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea.
When is the FA Cup final?
The final will be played on 14th May, with timings yet to be announced. Wembley will once again host the FA Cup final.