Chelsea were down tools under Liam Rosenior, but Callum MacFarlane returned as manager and finally performed against Leeds at Wembley.
Chelsea won the game after weeks without Liam Rosenior (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Another week in the crazy world of Chelsea. And another final match.
It was written in the stars that Enzo Fernandes, who was banned by his club from playing in the final match, would be the hero of Chelsea’s victory this time around. Only Chelsea would put Fernandes on a naughty step for cheating with Real Madrid, then award him an armband a few weeks later at the end of the week when the player force saw off their last manager.
Callum MacFarlane was appointed as caretaker manager just four days after Liam Rosenior was sacked, and Chelsea’s players made the sudden decision to make the change after effectively going down tools against Brighton in midweek.
McFarlane did not have the necessary UEFA professional license and would have needed special permission to take charge, but the owners were happy to hand over the reins of a team they had spent £1.5bn developing to an unqualified coach.
But we are here in our 17th FA Cup final with eight-time champions Chelsea, so it could be a glorious season with a trophy at the end.
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What stood out this time was that while Leeds sold 33,000 tickets, there was a huge gap in favor of Chelsea. Even some die-hard fans are tired of co-owners Behdad Egbali and Todd Boley. But while Chelsea are enjoying success, how can you question the way they run the club? It’s not very enlightening, but you get results and you get silverware too.
Chelsea won the Club World Cup last summer, won the European trophy last season and also appeared in the Champions League. And if they can defeat Manchester City in the final on May 16th, they could win the FA Cup, but that won’t be easy.
They are a difficult team to like because their performance can be on and off like a tap depending on who the manager is. They were clearly aiming for Rosenior’s shot, so they lost five straight league games without even scoring a goal.
Fernandes was one of the worst culprits for Brighton’s no-shows, but there was some cheer from Chelsea fans when Alejandro Garnacho’s numbers went up. Some supporters don’t even have their own players.
Callum MacFarlane oversaw the victory (Image: Getty Images)
There was an uproar in the Leeds side when keeper Robert Sanchez went down for treatment despite apparently not having any problems. It was just a delaying tactic. In reality, it’s hard to see how Chelsea can turn their image around.
There is certainly no love lost between them and Leeds, a rivalry dating back to a brutal 1970 final that Chelsea won in a rematch at Old Trafford. And since then they hated each other.
Leeds, who appeared to have secured their spot in the Premier League, performed well but fell short as they aimed to reach the final for the first time in 53 years. It was actually a fun experience that brought positive feelings to lift the fight against relegation.
Enzo Fernandes scores the winning goal for Chelsea (Image: Cameron Smith/The FA via Getty Images)
Leeds failed to take any chances. Their best record was 0-0. Chelsea were clumsy and careless at the back, allowing Brenden Aaronson to clear, but his low shot was well saved by Sanchez. From then on, Chelsea were in control. João Pedro’s low shot hit the base of the post. Chelsea then took the lead with a stunning goal in the 23rd minute.
Pedro Neto ran up the right flank, looked up and picked out Fernandes with a great cross, and the Chelsea midfielder headed home, giving Leeds keeper Lucas Perrie no chance.
Chelsea were the better team, but Leeds also had chances. Sanchez made a great save from Anton Stach’s piledriver and also did a great job denying Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header. Leeds kept pushing and never gave up. But in the end, Chelsea got the job done.
They know what it takes to get to the finals and win the trophy. If you feel like it.
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