EFL: Chelsea 1-0 Leeds — Fernandez Goal Books 13th FA Cup Semi-Final Win in 16

Chelsea into FA Cup final after Fernandez downs Leeds  

Chelsea beat Leeds 1-0 at Wembley thanks to Enzo Fernandez header. Blues reach FA Cup final vs Man City and stay unbeaten vs Leeds in the competition.

Interim boss Calum McFarlane wins first game after Rosenior sacking. Fernandez header sends Blues through as Whites’ wait for 1973 final goes on...

Enzo Fernandez’s first-half header booked managerless Chelsea a spot in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, as the Blues edged Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley to win a 13th semi-final from their last 16 in the competition.

It was Chelsea’s first game since sacking manager Liam Rosenior on Wednesday after seven defeats in eight matches, with interim boss Calum McFarlane charged with sparking a response against a Leeds side unbeaten in seven (W4, D3).

McFarlane will have been pleased with his side’s confident start, but the first clear chance went to the Whites in the 15th minute when Robert Sanchez used his boot to deny Brenden Aaronson one-on-one.

Chelsea’s top scorer Joao Pedro returned to the starting XI after missing two games through injury, and the striker went even closer to opening the scoring when he struck the inside of the post from a tight angle.

INTO THE FA CUP FINAL! 💙#CFC | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/HCcn8fG4Nr

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 26, 2026

The Blues had drawn blanks in their last three games, but they ended that run in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto crossed for an unmarked Fernandez to head in his 13th goal of the season in all competitions - the captain’s first since Rosenior dropped him last month over comments about his Stamford Bridge future.

This was Leeds’ first FA Cup semi-final since 1987 and the occasion may have got to their players, with Chelsea good value for their half-time lead.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke made a double change at half-time and switched to a back four to try to change the game, bringing on Anton Stach and Joe Rodon for James Justin and Jaka Bijol.

Stach nearly levelled with his first touch, forcing Sanchez to tip a thunderous long-range effort over the bar, before Pedro failed to connect cleanly from six yards and the ball trickled wide.

Leeds carried a much greater threat, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin soon headed straight at Sanchez.

 

Despite improving after the break, the Whites couldn’t find an equaliser and have now lost 1-0 in all three of their appearances at the new Wembley.

Their wait for a first FA Cup final since 1973 continues, with focus now shifting back to securing Premier League survival across the final four games of the season.

  

The second #EmiratesFACup Final place is confirmed 🔥@ChelseaFC are through to the Final and will face @ManCity in the showpiece at Wembley 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/lrF1CQKcmX

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 26, 2026

By contrast, eight-time FA Cup winners Chelsea can still rescue silverware from a frustrating season in the May 16 final, and they remain unbeaten against Leeds in this competition (W7, D3).