CHELSEA 1, MAN CITY 0
Hakim Ziyech ended Manchester City’s bid for an unprecedented quadruple as Chelsea won through to the final of the Emirates FA Cup.
The Moroccan was Chelsea’s Wembley matchwinner with the only goal of the game early in the second half as they reached their fourth final in five seasons.
It was a disappointing display from much-changed City who failed to hit the heights of recent times.
For City, it was only a second loss in their last 11 visits to Wembley while Chelsea have won eight of their last nine FA Cup semi-finals.
City also a had a series of unwanted firsts as they are left to go for the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was the first time Pep Guardiola had lost to opposite number Thomas Tuchel at the sixth attempt.
Chelsea recorded their first win against City at the new Wembley at the fourth time of asking.
And City’s second-string goalkeeper Zack Steffen lost for the first time – he has won all 10 of the games he had played for the club.
Guardiola said: “We played a good last 15 minutes. We had struggled to find our place in the pockets but congratulations to Chelsea in a tight game.
“We arrived sometimes in that position but after that we didn’t create. We conceded the goal but after we reacted well, especially after Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan came on.
“The team that defends with eight players in the final third it is not easy. This type of game the margin is so tight. In general we controlled well. We didn’t create many clear-cut chances but we arrived more than them.”
And on an injury sustained by Kevin De Bruyne, Guardiola added: “It doesn’t look good, he has pain. We will see. Tomorrow he will have a test.”
Guardiola made eight changes to the side who beat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter finals on Wednesday.
Steffen, Joao Cancelo, Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy, Raheem Sterling and Ferran Torres all came in.
Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones and Ederson were among those to drop out.
There were three changes to Tuchel’s Chelseaside which faced Porto on Tuesday.
Kepa Arrizabalaga replaced Edouard Mendy in goal. Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech were recalled for Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic.
Chelsea made the brighter start and Ziyech had a goal disallowed in the sixth minute after Timo Werner was caught offside in the build-up.
And Ben Chilwell volleyed disappointingly wide after being picked out on an overlapping run by left-back Reece James.
James then went close with a drive following a head down by Werner as Chelsea created the better of the few chances.
City only had a couple of half chances in the opening period, Jesus shooting straight at Arrizabalaga and Fernandinho glancing a header well wide as the game smouldered and had yet to ignite.
City suffered an injury blow within three minutes of the restart when De Bruyne limped off after pulling up with a problem with his right ankle. He was replaced by Foden.
The breakthrough came in the 55th minute from Chelsea with their first on-target goal attempt of the game.
Chilwell released Werner down the left and his cross left Steffen stranded and Ziyech got goalside of Mendy to slot home from six yards, his fifth goal of the season. It was Werner’s ninth assist of the campaign.
And it was almost six for Ziyech moments later when he raced clear on to a ball over the top only for Steffen to make a vital block. Had City gone 2-0 behind, it would have been a long way back.
City made a second change mid-half with Torres sacrificed for Gundogan.
There was a City appeal for an 80th minute penalty for handball from Cesar Azpilicueta from a cross, but it was dismissed by referee Mike Dean and VAR.
Guardiola’s side had a great chance to equalise seven minutes from time but Jesus’ poor touch in front of goal let him down and Sterling, following up, blazed over.
Chelsea had a second goal of the game disallowed in the third of five added minutes as substitute Christian Pulisic strayed offside before his fine solo finish.
There was just one scare in stoppage time from a corner when Rodri’s header was fumbled by Arrizabalaga, but Kurt Zouma cleared the danger.