CAPTAIN FANTASTIC NODS BLUES INTO THE FA CUP FINAL AT THE EXPENSE OF LEEDS UNITED
Enzo Fernandez scored the winner as Chelsea reached the 2026 FA Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Wembley.
The Blues were led into the encounter by interim boss Calum McFarlane, with plenty of question marks over their confidence and form following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior earlier in the week.
The players duly responded with a dominant first-half display that saw the Stamford Bridge outfit lead through captain Fernandez’s 23rd-minute header.
'Chelsea captain delivers!' - Fernandez puts Blues ahead against Leeds
Video credit: TNT Sports
Leeds had offered little, but were much-improved following the break with substitute Anton Stach forcing a stunning save out of Robert Sanchez.
'That's a proper save!' - Sanchez denies Stach stunning equaliser
Video credit: TNT Sports
Dominic Calvert-Lewin also saw a header kept out by The Blues goalkeeper but overall Daniel Farke’s men could not engineer enough opportunities to keep their dream alive.
Chelsea will now face Manchester City in the final on Saturday May 16.
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CHELSEA SHOT-STOPPER ROBERT SANCHEZ REACTS TO REACHING THE FA CUP FINAL
"It's amazing, the boys reacted in the exact way they should have," he told TNT Sports on the Wembley pitch.
"We've tried to keep everything really positive in training, and this was another chance to be in a final. That's what we've been working for and the boys performed.
"I'm happy, and I always try to do my job. We go through ups and downs this season, but the focus now is to try to finish it on a high."
Image credit: Getty Images
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THE TNT SPORTS EXPERTS REACT AS CHELSEA BOOK FINAL CLASH WITH MAN CITY
”Definitely think so, Leeds didn’t get going until after half time,” said Ally McCoist when asked if Chelsea are worthy winners.
”Chelsea totally dominated the first half and were the better side, deservedly took the lead with a very, very good headed goal from the man of the match and I thought over the piece they shaded it.
Steven Gerrard: ”You can’t disagree with that. I was also impressed with Chelsea second half, even when Leeds were coming into the game and on top, the game management, the structure, the shape – I though they (Chelsea) managed it really well. Defensively, (they got) a clean sheet, so a lot to build on, a lot of positives."
Joe Cole: "Enzo Fernandez was outstanding, and he's exactly what the Chelsea fans want to see. They want to see bite and that bit of spark. I thought the midfield was excellent, they dominated possession and they played like a team full of confidence which takes a lot when you've had a low spell.
"It's another cup final. Whatever has happened to this football club over the last two decades, you have to keep getting to finals and you have to keep winning. The players stood up today. [Robert] Sanchez was outstanding in goal, [Trevoh] Chalobah and Tosin [Adarabioyo] dealt with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and there's been a lot said about Enzo Fernandez, but he's a fighter and a warrior."
You can watch and stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and HBO Max
90+9'
90+9'
FULL TIME!
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds United.
*The Blues reach the 2026 FA Cup final where they will face Man City!
Image credit: Getty Images
Ally McCoist on TNT Sports comms: "I think the goalscorer [Enzo Fernandez] deserves the man of the match. He's been a class apart in Chelsea's midfield."
90+7'
90+7'
CHELSEA CHANGE
Delap on for Joao Pedro.
90+6'
90+6'
LAST-CHANCE SALOON FOR LEEDS UNITED
Steven Gerrard on TNT Sports comms: "Leeds have to be more direct, get diagonals into the box and try to win some fouls close to it."
90+5'
90+5'
YELLOW CARDS!
Neto pulls the shirt of Bogle and then the Leeds man gets a caution too for catching the winger with his arm trying to shake him off!
90+3'
90+3'
LEEDS WITH ALL OF THE BALL
Farke's side are trying to build up a head of steam but can't get near the Chelsea area at present.
90+2'
90+2'
STOPPAGE TIME
Eight minutes added.
Here come Leeds...
90'
90'
OUCH!
Caicedo needs treatment after being caught on the knee.
It's a painful one and he stretches it out as he walks to the sideline. However, the midfielder should be okay to continue.
Leeds are frustrated. They want to build some late, late momentum here...
88'
88'
AS IT STANDS: CHELSEA WILL FACE MAN CITY IN THE 2026 FINAL
Can Leeds provide a twist and change that?
It's now or never for Farke's men...
Guardiola calls on Gonzalez to ‘believe more in himself’ after sensational Southampton strike
Video credit: TNT Sports
Highlights: Gonzalez thunderbolt sees City edge past Southampton to reach fourth successive final
Video credit: TNT Sports
You can watch and stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and HBO Max
86'
86'
LEEDS CHANGE
Sean Longstaff on for Aaronson.
85'
85'
YELLOW CARD!
Nmecha booked for a lunge on Caicedo.
83'
83'
LEEDS ATTEMPT
Stach battles through a challenge to drift into the midfield but arrows a 30-yarder over the crossbar.
81'
81'
TODAY'S ATTENDANCE
The stadium announcement reveals that there are 82,542 fans inside Wembley this afternoon.
79'
79'
YELLOW CARD!
Ampadu booked for a late challenge on Neto.
78'
78'
YELLOW CARD!
Palmer booked for needlessly punching the ball away.
76'
76'
CAN LEEDS MOUNT A LATE CHARGE HERE?
United started the second period very much on the front foot but the game has just lost a bit of tempo at the moment, which will suit Chelsea down to the ground with time ticking down.
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'Chelsea captain delivers!' - Fernandez puts Blues ahead against Leeds
Video credit: TNT Sports
'That's a proper save!' - Sanchez denies Stach stunning equaliser
Video credit: TNT Sports