Ask Onix
Chelsea edge past Leeds United with first-half strike
Chelsea secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, booking their place in the final against Manchester City on 16 May. Enzo Fernandez scored the decisive goal in the 23rd minute, ending the club's 498-minute goalless streak against Premier League opponents.
Rosenior's short tenure ends in disappointment
Liam Rosenior's tenure as Chelsea manager lasted just 106 days before his dismissal, following a dismal run of five consecutive league defeats without a goal-the first such streak for the club since 1912. His departure came after a 3-0 loss to Brighton, which exposed fractures in the dressing room and a lack of basic fight under his leadership.
Interim head coach Calum McFarlane, who took charge for the semi-final, praised the squad's resilience, stating, "That group has massive character," while acknowledging that results had previously cast doubt on their mentality.
Fernandez's redemption and Chelsea's chaotic season
Enzo Fernandez, who had recently served a two-match suspension for comments hinting at a potential exit, delivered a standout performance. His header from a corner proved the difference, marking his 13th goal of the season-the second-highest tally among Premier League midfielders in 2025-26, behind only Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White (16).
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green noted the contrast between Fernandez's influence at Wembley and the team's struggles under Rosenior. "They're a product of the system they are in," Green said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "Fernandez ran the game. It was down to him how they played."
Ownership turmoil and a shot at silverware
Chelsea's owners, BlueCo, have faced criticism for their chaotic management, with eight managers-including caretakers-appointed since taking over. The club has reached three finals under their stewardship but won just two major trophies: the Conference League and Club World Cup.
This season's FA Cup final offers a chance to salvage a turbulent campaign. Co-owner Behdad Eghbali attended the semi-final, seated near former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked in September 2022-BlueCo's first managerial casualty.
Chelsea's history of turning chaos into success was epitomized in 2012, when Roberto Di Matteo, appointed as caretaker, led the team to Champions League and FA Cup glory after replacing Andre Villas-Boas. Whether history repeats itself remains to be seen.
What's next
The final against Manchester City will take place at Wembley on 16 May. Chelsea will need to replicate their semi-final intensity to overcome a side that has dominated English football in recent years.
