Bernardo's late strike fires City into FA Cup final

The winger smashed home a low strike from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross to win the semi-final at Wembley and grab a place in the final for a second successive year after last season’s triumph over Manchester United.

It was a performance full of character from Pep Guardiola’s side after a draining exit from the Champions League in midweek, following our penalty shootout defeat to Real Madrid.

Both sides had chances, but it was a joyous moment for Bernardo to claim the victory after he was one of the unfortunate players to miss from the spot in midweek.

WHAT HAPPENED

A Wembley visit remains special even on our 27th visit in the last 13 years and there was a big atmosphere ahead of kick-off with the possibility of an FA Cup final showpiece just 90 minutes away.

While City were playing two hours of Champions League football against Real Madrid in midweek, Chelsea had five days to prepare for the game which represented their only chance of silverware this season.

Still it was City that started on the front foot in the opening minutes with a high press forcing Marc Cucurella and Thiago Silva into loose passes which were inches away from being seized upon.

John Stones and Manuel Akanji alternated between moving from the centre of defence to add an extra man in midfield as we tried to pin Chelsea back.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side did have the first efforts on target in the opening exchanges, although Stefan Ortega Moreno was barely troubled by weak efforts from Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer.

But the first real opening fell to Phil Foden with the City midfielder starting and almost finishing a counter-attack from a Chelsea corner.

His crossfield ball picked out Julian Alvarez, before Kevin De Bruyne’s incisive pass played in Foden. He took it around goalkeeper Djorde Petrovic but was driven wide and couldn’t squeeze in a shot from a tight angle, with Cucurella scrambling the ball clear.

Jackson had a similar chance on the break for Chelsea, taking the ball around Ortega but City regrouped with Nathan Ake clearing from his pullback.

That represented Chelsea’s best opportunity off the first half but came after surviving two other close shaves at the other end.

Neat footwork from Alvarez inside the box gave the Argentinian a sight of goal but his low shot cannoned off De Bruyne who was stood in an offside position.

And the Belgian’s clipped cross produced a good opportunity for Bernardo Silva that was saved by Petrovic although Foden was given offside for interfering in the build-up.

Former City Academy player Palmer has been Chelsea’s dangerman since his summer switch and he was taking up threatening positions in the pockets and created an opportunity for himself before the break when he chopped inside to hit a low shot that was pushed away by Ortega.

He made an ever better save after the restart when he denied Jackson again as he raced clear on goal and moments later to keep out his header from three yards’ out.

City were being driven on by the fans we were attacking towards and went close again when Foden brought a save from Petrovic as both sides chased a crucial goal.

Palmer’s claim for a handball against Jack Grealish for a handball in a similar position to his fingertip touch that led to a penalty in last year’s final were waved away by VAR. As was an appeal from Jackson after a sprawling fall following a slight touch from Walker.

Stones had been replaced at half-time and Grealish then limped off midway through the second half. He was replaced by Jeremy Doku who immediately danced his way through the Chelsea defence and almost beat Petrovic at his nearpost.

The winger’s introduction gave Chelsea a different concern and he was involved when we finally found the breakthrough in the 84th minute.

He fed the ball to fellow Belgian De Bruyne, who fired in a low cross that found its way through to Bernardo to smash home. 

Referee Michael Oliver added on eight minutes of injury time, but City were able to push Chelsea back for the majority of it and saw out the tie for a fantastic victory.

TEAMS

CITY: Ortega Moreno, Walker, Stones (Dias 46), Akanji, Ake, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish (Doku 66), Alvarez (Bobb 88)

Subs: Ederson, Kovacic, Gomez, Gvardiol, Nunes, Lewis

CHELSEA: Petrovic, Gusto (Disasi 80), Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella (Chilwell 88), Caicedo, Fernandez (Sterling 88), Gallagher, Madueke (Mudryk 80), Palmer, Jackson

Subs: Bettinelli, Badiashile, Gilchrist, Chukwuema, Washington

STAR MAN 

De Bruyne was shattered after our a game with Real but produced yet another breathless performance. 

The Belgian was everywhere throughout the game, including sprinting forward to take the ball into the corner in the dying moments. 

Although a deflection will deny him an assist, it was another brilliant cross that led to the only goal. 

And he still had the energy to spring into the air at full-time to celebrate a huge win and a chance for more silverware during his illustrious time at the Etihad. 

MAGIC MOMENT

The emotion was clear throughout the team as the final whistle blew at Wembley. 

Guardiola celebrated with his players and the fans after claiming the win.

If there was any consideration that City might fold after a difficult European exit, they once again answered those suggestions. 

Every player was able to dig deep into their reserves of energy and showed the determination to get over the line in a tight game. 

PEP GUARDIOLA REACTION

“Mentally so tough to recover. Rodri, the way he played today, Kyle, who was injured for a few weeks, I don’t understand how they survived.

“We want to play football. We love to play football but it’s too much.

“We defend our trophy. We’ll be here.

“They killed us on the transition. The game was so tight. [I thought] extra time, no please.”

BERNARDO REACTION

“Yeah, very happy after a very frustrating week for all of us and for me personally.

“The good thing is in football, if you play for City you play every three days. So after two or three days you have a chance for a bit of revenge and to put things right.

“Today we tried to do that even though we were very tired. We’re happy with another final and another chance to win a trophy.

“We’ve done it throughout the years many times. The way this team reacts to disappointments and defeats is always in the best way. Today again the team showed a lot of character.”

WHAT IT MEANS

City will now face the winners of Sunday’s second semi-final between Coventry City and Manchester United.

The final at Wembley on Saturday 25 May, will now be our final game of the season.

WHAT’S NEXT

City return to Premier League action with two difficult away matches as we continue our challenge for a record fourth title.

On Thursday 25 April, we are at Brighton for a 20:00 (UK) kick-off and then on Sunday 28 April, we travel to Nottingham Forest for a 16:30 (UK) kick-off.