Ziyech sends Chelsea into FA Cup final, ends Man City’s quadruple bid

Chelsea advanced into the English FA Cup final following a 1-0 win over Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday

Hakim Ziyech’s 55th minute goal sent the London club into their 15th final at the expense of Pep Guardiola’s men who had their quest of winning four trophies this season cut into shreds.

Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea manager, also won his first game against Guardiola at the sixth attempt and became the first German coach to qualify for the FA Cup final.

The first period started with a Chelsea goal on six minutes for Ziyech but it was overturned for offside in the buildup.

The goal proved the only noteworthy event of the half as Chelsea matched Man City for long periods, then hung on to go in level at the break.

Kevin de Bruyne got injured and was substituted three minutes into the second half and Chelsea capitalised on 55 minutes.

Ziyech, again, was on hand to slot home Timo Werner’s cross for his fifth goal of the season in a move similar to Chelsea’s disallowed goal.

The former Ajax player should have doubled the Blues’ lead but was thwarted by Zack Steffen, City’s goalkeeper, while Ruben Dias blocked Werner’s follow-up.

In search for an equaliser, Rodri and Dias both went close for City but the Manchester side were reduced to pot shots by a well marshalled Chelsea defence.

Christian Pulisic had another goal disallowed for offside in the dying minutes as Chelsea held on to inflict a third semi-final defeat in five years on Guardiola.

The Blues will know their opponent on Sunday in the other semi-final between Leicester City and Southampton.