Chelsea 1 Leeds United 0: Star returns from injury and system change but FA Cup semi-final heartache — YEP 26/4/26

By Lee Sobot

Leeds United took on Chelsea at Wembley for a place in the FA Cup final.

Leeds United’s first FA Cup semi-final appearance for 39 years ultimately ended in a defeat as a first half header from Enzo Fernandez gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory and a place in the final against Manchester City.

Leeds threatened inside the first 30 seconds as an interception from Ao Tanaka set Noah Okafor away, the winger fouled on the edge of the box for a free-kick.

After a delay as the injured Malo Gusto was treated, Tanaka took the free-kick and wasted it by skying his shot well over the bar.

Following a spell of possession from the Blues, captain Enzo Fernandez fired in Chelsea's first attempt at goal in the sixth minute but his powerful strike from the edge of the box was straight at Lucas Perri who easily gathered.

Chelsea continued to dominate the ball but with Leeds holding firm, Alejandro Garnacho played in by a lovely ball from Moises Caicedo but Garnacho taking a heavy touch with took the ball behind for a goal kick.

Leeds, though, then squandered a fine chance to ahead in the 15th minute as a mistake from Trevor Chalobah allowed the Whites to counter and play in Brenden Aaronson, the attacker's shot across goal well saved by Robert Sanchez who sent the ball behind for a corner.

But the pattern of Chelsea possession quickly continued and Leeds were saved by the frame of the goal in the 22nd minute as dangerman Joao Pedro found space to the left of the Whites box and sent in a thumping shot which smashed back off the post.

Leeds, though, were being pushed back and the Blues went ahead with 24 minutes on the clock through an Enzo Fernandez header after Pascal Struijk had lost the ball in his own half.

The defender was dispossessed by Joao Pedro worked the ball out wide to Pedro Neto and Neto's precise cross picked out Fernandez who headed home a clinical finish.

Matters threatened to get worse for Leeds a few minutes later as VAR checked for a possible hair pull from Dominic Calvert-Lewin on Marc Cucurella which was cleared.

Leeds were struggling to get going but Joao Pedro wasn't and the striker went very close to doubling the Blues advantage on the half hour mark with a fine strike on the turn from the edge of the box which flew just wide with Perri scrambling.

The Whites were then presented with a rare chance as Chelsea lost the ball in their own half which allowed Okafor to run at goal but his fierce strike was blocked and cleared.

Another half chance then dropped to Okafor in the 42nd minute after Jaka Bijol had won a header from an Ethan Ampadu long throw into the box but Okafor skewed his half volley from inside the area well wide and that proved the last opportunity of the half.

Boss Daniel Farke made a double change during the interval as Anton Stach and Joe Rodon were brought on for Bijol and Justin which meant the change to a back four.

On his return from injury, Stach threatened just two minutes after the restart with a powerful strike from the edge of the box which Sanchez beat away for a corner.

Chelsea, though, should have bagged a second goal shortly afterwards as a lovely move ended with Joao Pedro looking certain to score in the middle of the box but the Blues forward took too long to shoot and Leeds forced a corner.

Leeds were now having more of the ball although Chelsea remained a massive threat and another quick Blues counter ended with Garnacho cutting inside but seeing his shot deflected wide.

But the Whites threatened again just before the hour mark as a lovely cross from Okafor picked out Calvert-Lewin whose powerful header was saved by Sanchez.

A foul on Stach and free-kick some 25 yards out presented Leeds with another opportunity shortly afterwards but Stach took the free kick and sent it well wide.

A few minutes later, a cross from Gabi Gudmundsson was cleared out to Ao Tanaka who could only volley wide from inside the box.

With time starting to run out, Farke made another double change with 17 minutes left as Tanaka and Okafor were replaced by Lukas Nmecha and Willy Gnonto.

Stach, though, was looking the biggest Leeds threat and the German midfielder fired in another effort from the edge of the box on he 83rd minute which flew over the bar.

Farke then made one last change in the 86th minute as Sean Longstaff replaced Aaronson and Leeds were given eight minutes of added time to find a way back but Chelsea were rarely threatened as United's cup run finally ended.