Chelsea reach FA Cup final with 1-0 win over Leeds

26 Apr 2026, 16:14 · CNA · Join

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Semi Final - Chelsea v Leeds United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 26, 2026 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Toby Melville

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Semi Final - Chelsea v Leeds United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 26, 2026 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Toby Melville

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Semi Final - Chelsea v Leeds United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 26, 2026 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez scores their first goal REUTERS/Toby Melville

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Semi Final - Chelsea v Leeds United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 26, 2026 Chelsea's Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez celebrate after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Read a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST

LONDON, April 26 : Crisis-hit Chelsea beat Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley on Sunday to reach the FA Cup final, a first-half goal from controversial Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez earning them a clash with Manchester City in the showpiece match next month.

Fernandez slipped between defenders to nod home a cross from Portugal winger Pedro Neto in the 23rd minute of the semi-final.

Fernandez was suspended earlier this month by former coach Liam Rosenior and the club hierarchy for a press interview in which he implied he was unhappy at Chelsea and was looking to move to Spain.

The suspension came in the middle of a woeful run of five Premier League defeats for the London side amid reports of discontent among players with the inexperienced coach who had been in charge only since January.

CNA Games

Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time

Buzzword
Create words using the given letters

Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser

Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge

Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less

Chelsea's American owners BlueCo sacked Rosenior last Wednesday after a woeful 3-0 defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion and his assistant Calum McFarlane was put in charge until the end of the season.

On Sunday Chelsea, who have won the Cup eight times, came out with renewed intent. They dominated the first half and held firm in the second after Leeds coach Daniel Farke's change of system and substitutions gave the Yorkshire side greater impetus.

But Leeds, who have been fighting for survival in the Premier League for much of the season, could not turn their energy into goals.

Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez pulled off fine saves in each half from Brenden Aaronson and Anton Stach but Leeds had few other chances.

"It's amazing. The boys reacted in the way they should have," Sanchez told TNT Sports. "We've tried to keep everyone positive in training and it's the chance to be in another final."

Manchester City, who have already captured the League Cup and are fighting for the Premier League title, beat Southampton 2-1 on Saturday to reach the Cup final which will be held on May 16.

Chelsea reach FA Cup final with 1-0 win over Leeds

Recommended Read

Sign up for our newsletters

Get the CNA app