Chelsea 1-0 Leeds United: Enzo's winner books FA Cup showdown with Man City

Enzo Fernandez's first-half header propelled Chelsea to a 1-0 win over Leeds United and into an FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Match Report

While Man City beat Southampton in dramatic fashion on Saturday, it was a rather more subdued encounter in the second semi-final at Wembley Stadium.

Fernandez's 23rd-minute effort proved decisive, as the Blues – under the tutelage of interim boss Calum McFarlane following Liam Rosenior's dismissal – booked their place in the showpiece on May 16.

The Argentine's goal came just after Joao Pedro had struck the post, with Chelsea the better team in the first half.

Anton Stach's introduction at half-time helped swing the momentum in Leeds' favour, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who earlier survived a VAR check for a potential hair pull, heading straight at Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea's goalkeeper was also in fine form to thwart both Brenden Aaronson and Stach, but Leeds' chances were worth just 0.89 expected goals as their comeback attempts fell flat.

Data Debrief: Enzo's lucky 13

Fernandez was handed a two-match suspension by Rosenior for his comments over a potential exit from Chelsea, but he proved to be the Blues' Wembley hero.

Chelsea's vice-captain has now scored 13 goals in all competitions this season. The only midfielder to score more for Premier League clubs in 2025-26 is Morgan Gibbs-White (16).

In a superb first-half display, Fernandez completed the most passes in the opposition half (19), had the most shots on target (two), created the joint-most chances (two) and won the most fouls (three).

He scored from one of two shots on target, accumulating 0.15 xG himself – that was almost half of the total 0.34 xG Chelsea created.

The Blues have now progressed from their seven FA Cup ties against Leeds, and have progressed from 10 of their last 12 semi-finals in the competition.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

4' Tanaka's shot went over the crossbar

6' Enzo tries a shot from distance, which is saved by the goalkeeper

15' Sanchez bravely saves a one-on-one

23' GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Leeds United (Enzo Fernández)

26' Lewin pulls Cucurella's hair,no card

30' João Pedro's volley goes wide

47' Sanchez makes a brilliant save to deny a long-range shot

48' João Pedro missed a great chance

58' Sanchez catches Lewin's header

61' Lavia pushes away a player who is trying to eavesdrop on the tactics

71' Highlight from Chelsea vs Leeds United

88' Highlight from Chelsea vs Leeds United

Line-ups

Chelsea XI: Adarabioyo, Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Robert Sánchez, Pedro Neto, João Pedro, Enzo, Caicedo, Gusto, Garnacho, Lavia

Subs: Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana, Liam Delap, Dário Essugo, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Jorrel Hato, Andrey Santos, Josh Acheampong, Jesse Derry

Leeds United XI: Calvert-Lewin, Lucas Perri, Justin, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Pascal Struijk, Jayden Bogle, Okafor, Ao Tanaka, Jaka Bijol, Brenden Aaronson

Subs: Darlow, Daniel James, Nmecha, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Joe Rodon, Joël Piroe, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach, Wilfried Gnonto