Man City vs Chelsea FA Cup semi-final AS IT HAPPENED: Bernardo Silva scores winner at Wembley

Man City vs Chelsea FA Cup semi-final AS IT HAPPENED: Bernardo Silva scores winner at Wembley

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Man City and Chelsea meet in the semi-finals of the FA Cup

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 20/04/2024

- 16:48

Updated: 20/04/2024

- 19:16

GB News will bring you all the latest from Wembley stadium

Manchester City and Chelsea lock horns at Wembley today with a place in the final of the FA Cup on the line.

The fixture in the capital has the makings of a classic, with both teams having plenty to prove.


City enter the clash on a low following their Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

However, as the reigning champions, they'll be reluctant to give up their FA Cup trophy without a fight.

As for Chelsea, the west London giants battered Everton 6-0 on Monday evening with Cole Palmer scoring four goals that night.

Whether Palmer can come back and haunt City following his departure back in the summer, however, remains to be seen.

Follow below for live updates from the match at Wembley

City win!

And that's a wrap at Wembley.

Manchester City have beaten Chelsea to reach the FA Cup final, with Bernardo Silva scoring the only goal of the game.

Thank you for joining us this evening and keep coming back to GB News to see all the latest reaction.

Chelsea desperately hunting a leveller

Chelsea are desperately hunting a late equaliser that would send the match into extra time.

There's just a few minutes left on the clock here in the capital and Kevin De Bruyne has been named man of the match.

GOAL! MAN CITY 1-0 CHELSEA

Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring for Manchester City against Chelsea

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We finally have a goal.

And it's a big one.

Kevin De Bruyne's shot is saved by Djordje Petrovic and the rebound falls to Bernardo Silva, who then converts from close range in the 84th minute.

A huge moment for the City star - especially after his woeful penalty miss against Real Madrid in midweek.

Chelsea make two changes

Chelsea have opted to tinker as they look to win the game.

Mykhailo Mudryk comes on for Noni Madueke, who has impressed out on the wing.

And Axel Disasi replaces Malo Gusto, who has put on quite the shift at right-back.

Roughly 15 minutes left

Manchester City Chelsea

Manchester City and Chelsea bosses Mauricio Pochettino and Pep Guardiola watch the FA Cup showdown

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Roughly 15 minutes left on the clock at Wembley, with both teams chasing a winner.

Will we get one to avoid the game going to extra time? We will see...

Chances for both teams

After a quiet spell ,both teams suddenly create chances.

Moises Caicedo surges into the Manchester City box but the Chelsea star can't deliver any end product and the opportunity passes by.

City then go close through Jeremy Doku, who sees a shot saved, with Kevin De Bruyne then curling an effort wide of the post.

Injury strikes for Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish looked gutted after being forced out of Manchester City's FA Cup showdown with Chelsea

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Jack Grealish deserves sympathy. The Manchester City star has had constant injury issues this season, preventing him from kicking on.

And the England international is forced out of this clash after picking up a knock.

Jeremy Doku is sent on in his place.

Walker stops Jackson

That is sublime from young Cole Palmer.

The Chelsea star sends a lovely pass through to Nicolas Jackson but Kyle Walker, tracking back, prevents the Blues hitman from getting his shot away.

Jackson wants a penalty but there's nothing doing. If he could finish, Chelsea would arguably be out of sight.

Foden shot saved

Phil  Foden

Phil Foden sees his shot saved by Djordje Petrovic at Wembley

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The match is starting to come alive and Phil Foden's shot is parried away by Djordje Petrovic.

Better from the reigning champions.

Cole Palmer then sends a free kick wide. VAR checks for a possible handball but nothing is given and play resumes.

Two big chances for Jackson

The Chelsea fans are on their feet but Nicolas Jackson can't put them ahead.

The 22-year-old is one-on-one with Stefan Ortega after a neat pass, only to be denied by the Manchester City goalkeeper.

Jackson is then found in the box and gets his header away, only for Ortega to save again.

Second half begins

John Stones

John Stones has come off for Manchester City in their FA Cup clash with Chelsea

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City make a change at half time, with John Stones replaced by Ruben Dias.

Chelsea get the second half started, with the Blues hoping they can go through to the final while shooting in front of their own fans.

Noni Madueke immediately geta a shot away but skies his effort way, way over the bar.

Pundits react

Some words from former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who thinks his old side will be happy with the way they've performed so far.

"It's so important to get it right against City defensively," he said. "There's not a lot of space between the Chelsea players. When you can get close to the opposition, it allows you to get forward with wing-backs really quickly.

"It's a really important game to get that right. Just can Chelsea get more players in the box.

"I do think it has been really good from Chelsea's point of view."

Alan Shearer added: "Chelsea have created one or two really good chances.

"From their point of view, they've played really well, but they'd be disappointed not to have taken their chances."

HALF TIME CLAXON

Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer was unable to give Chelsea the lead in the first half against Manchester City

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The referee blows for half time and it's goalless at the interval.

City will be ruing their failure to take the lead, with Phil Foden unable to capitalise after successful rounding Djordje Petrovic in the Chelsea goal.

The Blues posed a threat themselves, however, with Nicolas Jackson particularly bright - while Cole Palmer's shot at Stefan Ortega was easily for the City goalkeeper to save.

See you after the interval!

Lacking quality

There have been some good moments in the first half but neither side are in their groove just yet.

Phil Foden had the chance to create something but overhits his free kick, which then sails out.

Pep Guardiola, standing on the touchline, looks frustrated.

Cole Palmer shows brilliance

Cole Palmer has been quiet so far - but the Chelsea star suddenly comes alive inside the City box.

The England winger is able to get a shot away with his left foot, with Stefan Ortega getting down low to parry the ball away.

Palmer is a serious talent and the way he created a shooting chance, with some devastating footwork, was impressive.

Nicolas Jackson spurns big chance

Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson misses out on the chance to break the deadlock during the FA Cup clash between Manchester City and Chelsea

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A huge chance for Chelsea to go 1-0 up - but Nicolas Jackson is unable to take it.

The 22-year-old was through on goal and went around Stefan Ortega but goes too wide and City are let off the hook.

It's not too dissimilar to the Foden incident earlier in the game. Chelsea fans let out an audible moan as the opportunity passed their team by.

Bernardo Silva then blazes over, while Noni Madueke sees a shot blocked and City clear.

Bernardo denied but offside

Jack Grealish whips in a clever cross that finds Bernardo Silva at the back post.

The Portugal international guides his effort towards goal but is flagged offside, with Marc Cucurella able to block his effort.

City starting to grow into the game a little bit more after a quiet start for their high standards.

Rodri scare

A slight scare for City as Rodri falls awkwardly and appears to be in discomfort.

He's able to get back up, however, and joins his team-mates in the box for a free kick.

City had, prior to Wednesday's defeat to Real Madrid, won their previous 66 matches with Rodri in their side.

They can't afford to lose him as they chase a sensational double.

Jackson speed causing problems

Nicolas Jackson is a divisive figure.

But his speed, and his willingness to run down the channels, is already causing City some problems.

The former Villarreal star fizzes a ball across the box but nobody in a blue shirt is able to prod it home.

City star Julian Alvarez then shoot at Djordje Petrovic's goal but Kevin De Bruyne blocks the shot and is offside.

Huge chance City!

Phil Foden

Phil Foden was unable to convert a good chance for Man City against Chelsea

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The best chance of the game so far and it's Phil Foden who nearly breaks the deadlock.

A magnificent pass from Kevin De Bruyne sends the England international through on goal and he attempts to go around Djordje Petrovic.

The angle gets tight, however, and in the end Chelsea are able to clear his effort.

A let off for Mauricio Pochettino's men.

Palmer tries his luck

Cole Palmer is a player on cloud nine these days given his electric form.

And the Chelsea star attempts an audacious shot on goal from distance after catching Stefan Ortega off his line.

He doesn't quite get it right, however, and Ortega is able to stop it trickling into the net with ease.

Early chance for Chelsea

Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson saw his shot easily saved during Chelsea's FA Cup clash with Man City

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An early chance for Chelsea and it's through Nicolas Jackson.

The striker is set towards goal after being found by Cole Palmer but his shot is easily held by Stefan Ortega.

Given City are dominating the ball, as expected, it appears as though Mauricio Pochettonno's side will look to catch them on the counter attack. Much like Real Madrid did in midweek.

Cucurella off to shaky start

Marc Cucurella makes an early run down the flanks but then overhits his cross.

Another poor ball into his own box then nearly lets City in but CHelsea are able to deal with it.

A few nerves, perhaps.

And we're off!

This blockbuster FA Cup semi-final showdown is now under way.

Boos before kick off

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne was booed by Chelsea fans prior to their FA Cup clash with Manchester City

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A few boos from the Chelsea supporters when the name of Kevin De Bruyne was announced.

The Belgium international never made the grade at Stamford Bridge and has since established himself as a modern Premier League great.

The one that got away...

Micah Richards wants Man City to bounce back

It's no surprise that former Manchester City star Micah Richards, speaking on BBC One, wants his old side to win the match.

And he insists they'll be focused on winning the double despite their European setback in midweek.

"Manchester City will be disappointed obviously, with the way the game went [going out of the Champions League against Real Madrid] and that they played so well and couldn't get it over the line," he said.

"We've talked about City this season maybe not being able to see games off and being very clinical. They'll be disappointed but it's a big game for them today.

"They can still do the Double and that's all they'll be thinking about."

Atmosphere building

Atmosphere is building here at Wembley as the start of the match creeps closer.

Will City continue their charge towards a double? Or will Chelsea make the final of the FA Cup for the seventh time in nine years?

We're only a matter of time away from finding out.

Palmer got nothing to prove - Pochettino

Cole Palmer

Man City vs Chelsea FA Cup LIVE: Mauricio Pochettino insists Cole Palmer has nothing to prove

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Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino insisted Cole Palmer had nothing to prove to his former club.

“He has already played against them twice, he is very grateful to Manchester City and Pep Guardiola as a former coach,” Pochettino said.

“He is not the type of player that has something like that inside of him. He wanted to prove himself at another club and is thankful for the opportunity to move to another club. He always talks very highly about Manchester City and Pep.”

He continued: “We never judge a player when we sign them. We sign players believing that they can perform and he is performing in a very big way.

“This is his first consistent season playing and we need to be careful. He’s young, he needs to evolve his game in different areas. But of course, he’s performing beyond expectation, far away from what we expected at the beginning.”

Guardiola defends selling Palmer

Speaking prior to today's clash, Pep Guardiola defended his decision to sell Cole Palmer to Chelsea back in the summer.

"In pre-season I said stay because Riyad [Mahrez] has gone and he said 'no, I want to leave'," he revealed.

"After two seasons, what could I say?"

He added: "I said many times, I didn't give him the minutes that he maybe deserved and wanted, the minutes he now has at Chelsea.

"I understand that completely. I am happy for him because he is a lovely guy. He is playing good and is an incredible threat."

Teams announced

The teams for today's contest have been announced.

City have gone strong with Stefan Ortega in goal, in front of a defence that consists of Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake.

John Stones and Rodri partner up in midfield, with Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish playing further ahead.

And City have gone with Julian Alvarez up top with Erling Haaland out through injury.

As for Chelsea, Djordje Petrovic starts between the sticks.

Malo Gusto, Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella make up their back four.

In midfield, Mauricio Pochettino has gone with Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher.

And Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson make up their front three.

Good afternoon

Man City vs Chelsea

Man City and Chelsea meet in the semi-finals of the FA Cup today

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Good afternoon and welcome to GB News' live blog from Wembley.

Stay tuned for all the latest throughout the match as both teams look to make the FA Cup final.

City won the tournament last year with a 2-1 victory over fierce rivals Manchester United.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are hunting their first FA Cup triumph since the days of Antonio Conte in 2018.

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