Enzo Fernandez headed a first-half winner as Chelsea beat Leeds 1-0 at Wembley to secure their place in the FA Cup final, just four days after the club sacked head coach Liam Rosenior.
Playing under interim head coach Calum McFarlane, Chelsea set aside recent poor form and off-field unrest to deliver an improved performance. Fernandez's goal proved decisive as Leeds fell short of the standards that have effectively secured their Premier League survival.
The Blues will return to Wembley on 16 May to face Manchester City in the final, their first since losing to Liverpool on penalties in 2022. Leeds, appearing in their first FA Cup semi-final since 1987, were left to rue missed opportunities.
Brenden Aaronson forced a fine save from Robert Sanchez in the first half, while Joao Pedro hit the inside of the post for Chelsea. Pascal Struijk gave the ball away in the build-up to the goal, with Pedro Neto crossing from the right and Ethan Ampadu failing to reach it before Fernandez leapt to head home.
Sanchez produced another fine stop to deny Anton Stach after the interval, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put a free header straight at the goalkeeper with Leeds' final chance. McFarlane praised Fernandez's match-winning display, while Leeds boss Daniel Farke admitted his side were disappointed but took positives from the run.
