Chelsea beat Leeds to reach the FA Cup Final as McFarlane ends losing run

Chelsea secured a place in the FA Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Wembley, ending a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats without scoring.

Interim manager Calum McFarlane said the result was crucial in shifting the mood within the squad, as the team had been struggling for form and confidence. He emphasised the importance of breaking that negative momentum, describing the win as a turning point ahead of the remaining matches.

The decisive moment came in the first half when Enzo Fernández scored with a header. His goal proved enough to separate the sides in a closely contested semi-final.

Leeds created several chances throughout the match but were unable to convert. Robert Sánchez played a key role for Chelsea, producing a number of important saves. He denied Brenden Aaronson in the first half and later stopped a strong effort from Anton Stach after the break.

McFarlane, who stepped into the role following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior earlier in the week, said his familiarity with the players helped him guide the team through a challenging period. Having previously worked closely with the squad, he said he understood what they needed from a psychological perspective.

He also praised Fernández for his performance, highlighting the midfielder’s contribution and impact on the group. Fernández had been left out of the team in recent matches but returned to score the winning goal in the semi-final.

Chelsea’s players responded positively after a difficult spell, with Sánchez noting the effort to maintain morale in training despite recent results. He said the team had been determined to deliver a performance and take the opportunity to reach another final.

For Leeds, the defeat extended a difficult run at Wembley, where they have now failed to score in their last four visits. Manager Daniel Farke acknowledged that nerves affected his team’s performance, preventing them from playing at their usual level.

He said his players struggled to find their rhythm and were unable to respond effectively to the challenges posed by Chelsea. Despite creating opportunities, Leeds were unable to find a breakthrough.

The result sets up a final between Chelsea and Manchester City, with McFarlane now in a position to lead his side in pursuit of their first domestic trophy since 2018.

The victory represents a significant shift for Chelsea after a difficult period, while Leeds will reflect on missed chances and another disappointing outcome at Wembley.