Chelsea are through to the FA Cup final after beating Leeds on Sunday afternoon. Enzo Fernandez scored the only goal of the game at Wembley Stadium as the Blues ended a dismal run of form to ensure they will face Manchester City in next month’s showpiece.
After a run of five straight Premier League defeats without scoring – their worst since 1912 – Chelsea’s decision to dismiss Liam Rosenior earlier in the week and replace him with Calum McFarlane - albeit temporarily - appears to have been vindicated, for now.
Daniel Farke’s side lacked the same cohesion that had lifted them to with touching distance of top-flight safety in recent weeks and they were unable to mount sustained pressure. Anton Stach was wayward with a speculative effort and Dominic Calvert-Lewin failed to latch on to a deep cross to the far post in time added on as Leeds’ bid for a first FA Cup final appearance since 1973 fell short. Follow the action back below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at Wembley Stadium.
Chelsea vs Leeds latest news
- GOAL! Fernandez breaks the deadlock
FULL-TIME
17:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea 1-0 Leeds
CHELSEA ARE THROUGH TO THE FA CUP FINAL
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+7 min: Delap is on for Joao Pedro as Chelsea look to run down the clock. Good performance from the Brazilian, though he should have put the game to bed early in the second half.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+5 min: Good ball from Longstaff but Calvert-Lewin can’t stretch to get on the end of the free-kick at the back post. Is that Leeds’ last chance?
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+4 min: Neto pulls back Bogle and then throws himself to the ground after being caught in the face by the Leeds defender.
Chelsea winger booked too.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: EIGHT MINUTES of stoppage time.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: That is a painful one for Caicedo following a clash of knees with Longstaff. The Chelsea midfielder requires treatment and that should extend the number of minutes of added time.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne86 min: Final throw of the dice by Leeds as Aaronson makes way for Longstaff. He netted a stoppage-time equaliser against Bournemouth earlier in the week. Can he repeat the trick?
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne84 min: Nmecha is now shown a yellow card as he catches Caicedo on the follow through. No further punishment following a VAR check.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne83 min: Stach finds himself in a decent amount of space and is urged to shoot from range. He does exactly that but can’t keep his effort under the bar.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: Santos and Nmecha will need a moment to recover after an accidental collision.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: Yellow cards are totting up now, Ampadu into the book for a foul on Neto and Chelsea have a free-kick in a promising position. Suits the right boot of Fernandez.
Dom Smith at Wembley
16:39 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNot the first involvement Palmer wanted. Not the impact McFarlane wanted from him either. Chelsea clock-watching now.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne77 min: Palmer is shown a yellow card for dissent. He punched the ball away after thinking he had won a corner for Chelsea.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne76 min: Excellent centre-forward play by Joao Pedro as he shields the ball away from Struijk before drawing a foul from the Leeds defender who is then shown a yellow card.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: Leeds pressure building again as Stach wins a corner off Caicedo.
Good defending from Cucurella at the front post as he makes first contact with a headed clearance.
Double Leeds change follows as Tanaka and Okafor make way for Gnoto and Nmecha.
Dom Smith at Wembley
16:33 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe loudest cheer from Chelsea fans since Fernandez's goal is saved for the moment Palmer is introduced from the bench. He has 19 minutes in which to try to light up this semi-final.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: Here comes the Chelsea change, Palmer replaces Garnacho.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Chelsea just knocking the ball around, retaining possession and taking the sting out of the Leeds pressure. However, Garnacho tries to speed things up and ends up losing the ball.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne69 min: UPDATE: Palmer is stripped and ready for Chelsea.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne67 min: Palmer’s return to action for Chelsea is imminent. He is receiving some instructions on the bench just as Okafor struggles with a bit of cramp.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne65 min: Another chance for Leeds but Tanaka doesn’t make a clean connection after the ball dropped to him kindly in the area. Effort is well wide as Santos replaces Lavia for Chelsea.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: The free-kick is eventually taken by Stach, he tries to catch Sanchez out at his near post but doesn’t get enough curl on the strike and the Chelsea keeper watches the ball go wide.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne60 min: Boos ring out around Wembley from the Leeds fans, aimed at Sanchez who has gone down off the ball and requires treatment from the Chelsea medical staff.
Dom Smith at Wembley
16:22 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRightly a free-kick for Leeds but a yellow card for Caicedo felt harsh there.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: CHANCE! Okafor picks out Calvert-Lewin with a peach of a cross but the Leeds striker heads straight at Sanchez. Huge let-off for Chelsea.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: Was Enzo Fernandez going for goal there straight from the corner? His delivery drops onto the top of the net.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne55 min: Another nice Chelsea move ends with Garnacho seeing his curling effort deflected behind for a corner.
Dom Smith at Wembley
16:13 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFascinating and frantic start to this second half from both teams. I have a feeling this final 45 minutes is going to have been very exciting indeed.
The game finely poised, of course, with only Fernandez's goal in it.
Dom Smith at Wembley
16:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAbsolutely outstanding save by Sanchez, whose reactions were lightning quick there. Stach with an almost dreamy introduction from the bench for Leeds.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne48 min: Rodon and Stach have replaced Justin and Bijol for Leeds.
But Leeds should be 2-0 down following lovely play by Chelsea. Joao Pedro, for some reason, hesitates instead of shooting and the chance goes begging.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
16:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: What a hit from Stach but Sanchez is equal to it as he gets a strong hand to the effort and tips the ball over the bar.
KICK-OFF!
16:07 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway at Wembley.
Chelsea are 45 minutes away from reaching the FA Cup final.
First half in pictures
15:58 , Arthur Ferridge
HALF-TIME: Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:50 , Arthur FerridgeThat does it for the first 45. A well-deserved lead for this transformed Chelsea team.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:49 , Arthur Ferridge45+2mins: Something of a procession towards half-time here. Daniel Farke has a big 15 minutes on his hands if he is to inspire this Leeds team.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:47 , Arthur FerridgeWe will have four minutes of added-time here.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:46 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Justin hoofs a speculative long ball towards Calvert-Lewin, which dribbles over the by-line before the Leeds striker can get anywhere near it.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:44 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: Leeds’ long throw falls to Okafor. He looks to capture the back pages with a spectacular volley but rather shanks it and promptly tracks back as Robert Sanchez lines up a goal kick.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:40 , Arthur Ferridge39mins: Caicedo is the latest Blue to hit the deck here after he got the wrong side of Calvert-Lewin at a corner. The Ecuadorian looks winded.
Dom Smith at Wembley Stadium
15:38 , Arthur FerridgeLeeds fans are cheering and jeering every Chelsea error and misplaced pass... but there haven't been nearly as many since Fernandez gave the west Londoners the lead here. Chelsea in control and deservedly ahead. We've not seen Leeds create anything for a while now.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:37 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: Garnacho flashes a low ball across the face of goal but there is no blue shirt to tap it in.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:36 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Caicedo loses the ball in midfield and Okafor breaks, but Tosin puts a foot in to block his shot. Joao Pedro then drops in to help his team-mates clear their lines.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:34 , Arthur Ferridge33mins: It is remarkable how sharp Chelsea look. Completely unrecognisable from the team that was turned over so easily at the AmEx earlier this week.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:31 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Lavia blocks a Leeds pass out from the back and it deflects onto the chest of Joao Pedro. He controls it, turns and shoots, missing narrowly wide.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:28 , Arthur Ferridge27mins: Fernandez’s opener was Chelsea’s first goal in any competition for 293 minutes - nearly five hours.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:27 , Arthur Ferridge26mins: Calvert-Lewin has been acquitted.
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
15:27 , Arthur Ferridge25mins: We are delayed here as VAR look into a hair pull from Dominic Calvert-Lewin on Marc Cucurella.
Some of you will remember Lisandro Martinez being shown a red card earlier this year for pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
Dom Smith at Wembley Stadium
15:30 , Arthur FerridgeAn understated clap of the hands from Calum McFarlane as Enzo Fernandez wheels away after putting Chelsea ahead in the FA Cup semi-final. An excellent move and goal that owed plenty to the delivery from Neto.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Leeds | Fernandez '23
15:24 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea lead through Fernandez! The Blues win the ball high up the pitch and the Argentine times his run brilliantly to nod Pedro Neto’s cross home.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:23 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: Off the post! Fernandez slots Joao Pedro in behind with a really smart through ball and the Brazilian rattles the woodwork with a left-footed shot. So, so close.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:21 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: Neto sends a corner in search of Tosin, but a Leeds head gets to it first. Fernandez knocks the clearance down for Garnacho to shoot and there are some appeals for handball as it ricochets out, but we play on.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:18 , Arthur Ferridge17mins: Chelsea have mostly been attacking down the left flank but Neto gets a rare chance to run at his man. He cuts in and looks to curl a shot into the far corner, but it is blocked by Struijk. Joao Pedro looks frustrated with his team-mate as Leeds clear their lines.
Dom Smith at Wembley Stadium
15:17 , Arthur FerridgeIt's been an error-filled first 16 minutes here at Wembley. Not befitting of an FA Cup semi-final... yet.
Dom Smith at Wembley Stadium
15:16 , Arthur FerridgeGreat skill from Chalobah is followed immediately by a lax pass which leads to a huge Leeds chance. Fine stop by Sanchez with his leg, congratulated by teammates immediately.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:16 , Arthur Ferridge14mins: That could have been the opener! Leeds win the ball in midfield and Aaronson is played through one-on-one, but Sanchez does well to get a foot to his shot.
While Chelsea have had a lot of the ball in these early stages, Leeds are doing a great defensive job. They are sitting in a nice compact block, and that shows exactly how dangerous they can be on the break.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:13 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: Caicedo finds Garnacho with a perfectly-weighted chipped through-ball, but the Argentine can’t bring it down.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:12 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Chelsea have had 88 per cent possession so far. Yet to create a clear-cut chance, though.
Dom Smith at Wembley Stadium
15:09 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea preferring not to go long in the build-up, as was the case under both Maresca and Rosenior. Sanchez is popping it out wide left and right when the ball is at his feet. The Blues searching for some control early on.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:09 , Arthur Ferridge7mins: Chelsea pour forward in numbers, but a poor cross from Fernandez cuts the attack short. After that brutal first minute, the Blues have grown into this match. They look a sight better than they did against Brighton, for all that’s worth.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:07 , Arthur Ferridge6mins: Joao Pedro nods Sanchez’s long-ball down for Fernandez, who runs onto it in space and has a go from range. He gets it on target, but it is an easy save for Perri.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:05 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: After all that build-up, Tanaka’s short is rather forgettable. He puts it well over the bar.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:04 , Arthur Ferridge3mins: Tanaka and Gudmundsson are sizing up this Leeds free-kick... it is perfectly placed to bend into the top corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:03 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: Given the way things have been going for Chelsea of late, this match couldn’t have started in much more comical fashion.
Dom Smith at Wembley Stadium
15:03 , Arthur FerridgeWithin 30 seconds, a couple of Chelsea errors and a huge chance now for Leeds.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:02 , Arthur Ferridge1min: Malo Gusto is down, too, and looks to be in some pain.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:02 , Arthur Ferridge1mins: With 20 seconds played, Caicedo clatters Okafor to gift Leeds a free-kick from about 20 yards out.
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
15:01 , Arthur FerridgeHere we go! This FA Cup semi-final is underway.
The teams are out...
14:58 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea and Leeds take to the pitch. Kick-off is imminent!
Team news reminder
14:50 , Arthur FerridgeWith ten minutes until kick-off, a reminder of this afternoon’s starting lineups.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
Leeds XI: Perri, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Struijk, Bijol, Justin, Ampadu, Tanaka, Aaronson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin
What is at stake today?
14:44 , Arthur FerridgeGoes without saying, but today’s prize is a place in the FA Cup final.
Today’s victor will face Manchester City in the final.
McFarlane: Chelsea believe they can win something this season
14:42 , Arthur Ferridge“There's still a lot of belief in this group. I know it's been tough recently, but we've had some good games this year, good performances against top sides in recent history. There's a lot of talent.
“Some of those players in there are some of the best players in the world for their position. There's still a belief within us. We can turn this around and get our season back on track.”
Warmups underway
14:41 , Arthur Ferridge
Dom Smith at Wembley Stadium
14:37 , Arthur FerridgeAtmosphere building here on a lovely day for football. Let's hope we're treated to an FA Cup semi-final classic that can compare with the famous 1970 final between these two teams. Wouldn't that be nice...
Nicolas Jackson to return to Chelsea
14:34 , Arthur FerridgeNicolas Jackson is expected to return to Chelsea this summer after Bayern Munich director Max Eberl confirmed the club does not intend to make his loan move permanent.
He left the club last summer after Liam Delap was signed.
Dom Smith previews this afternoon's action
14:26 , Arthur FerridgeLet Standard Sport’s Dom Smith talk you through this afternoon’s action.
🗣️ "It has been such a hectic week for Chelsea ahead of this cracking FA Cup semi-final."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) April 26, 2026
Allow @MrDomSmith to catch you up on all the build-up to this match from a sun-soaked Wembley press box.
LIVE: https://t.co/4uY6AVkW71#CHELEE | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/bHJXu4OSSe
Alejandro Garnacho
14:18 , Arthur FerridgeAlejandro Garnacho is far from popular with the Chelsea fans but he starts today with Estevao out and Cole Palmer likely not 100 per cent.
Believe it or not, he is actually Chelsea’s most recent goalscorer, though you must cast your mind all the way back to that Port Vale match to recall his strike, which came from the penalty spot.
Dom Smith at Wembley Stadium
14:10 , Arthur FerridgeThe positive news for Chelsea is that both Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer are back after injuries, but while the Brazilian starts after two games out, Palmer only makes the bench.
Interesting to see starts for Romeo Lavia and Alejandro Garnacho. No surprise at all that McFarlane picks a back four rather than the back three system Liam Rosenior went with from the off against Brighton on Tuesday.
LEEDS CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
14:02 , Arthur FerridgeAs does Daniel Farke.
Leeds XI: Perri, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Struijk, Bijol, Justin, Ampadu, Tanaka, Aaronson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Darlow, Roson, Bornauw, Longstaff, Stach, James, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha
CHELSEA CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
14:00 , Arthur FerridgeCalum McFarlane names his side...
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Fofana, Hato, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Palmer, Derry, Delap
Team news update
13:54 , Arthur FerridgeTeams will be released on the hour!
Hold your breath...
13:47 , Arthur FerridgeWe’re still waiting for team news...
There is good news, though, that Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro have both arrived at Wembley with the Chelsea squad. Will either man start?
Team news up next
13:39 , Arthur FerridgeLineups will be released at quarter-to!
Chelsea vs Leeds head to head
13:31 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea have failed to beat Leeds in two meetings this season, with Daniel Farke’s side winning 3-1 at Elland Road and snatching a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.
This will be their first FA Cup meeting since the fifth round in 2023/24, when the Blues progressed after a 3-2 win, sealed by Conor Gallagher’s 90th-minute winner.
Chelsea wins: 37
Leeds wins: 39
Draws: 29
Chelsea predicted XI
13:23 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
Doubts: Palmer, Joao Pedro
Injured: James, Estevao, Colwill, Jorgensen, Gittens
Why is Chelsea vs Leeds a rivalry?
13:06 , Arthur FerridgeAny animosity between Chelsea and Leeds can be traced back to the 1970 FA Cup final.
The tie was settled by a replay after an attritional first attempt ended level.
David Webb scored the winner at Old Trafford to settle the affair at the second time of asking in another violent affair.
The two clubs haven’t got along terribly well ever since.
Deja Vu
12:58 , Arthur FerridgeFor the second time this season, Chelsea have an interim manager in the dugout.
Calum McFarlane has got the call-up once again after Liam Rosenior was sent packing on Wednesday, not even 24 hours after a dour 3-0 defeat at Brighton.
It is a tricky second debut for McFarlane, who has had just a few days on the training pitch to turn things around for the Blues.
They have just one win in their last eight matches, and that came against Port Vale in this competition.
Standard Sport prediction
12:50 , Arthur FerridgeThe alarm bells are ringing at all levels of Chelsea, and this dismal run seems set to continue.
Rosenior has been relieved of his duties, but the odds of that decision livening up the team’s performances seem slim.
The Blues were dreadful against Brighton, and McFarlane has his work cut out for him to get them back on song before heading to Wembley. We expect the Blues to fall to a fourth straight defeat, though they may nick a rare goal.
Leeds to win, 2-1.
Latest match odds
12:47 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea to progress: 1/2
Leeds to progress: 31/20
Odds via BetFair (Subject to change)
Leeds early team news
12:45 , Arthur FerridgeAnton Stach is the only injury absentee for Leeds, with the German’s World Cup involvement in doubt as he recovers from an ankle issue.
Ao Tanaka is back in the fold after appearing to pick up a knock against Manchester United two weeks ago.
Chelsea early team news
12:40 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea will be without exciting young winger Estevao after he suffered a serious hamstring injury early in last weekend’s loss to Manchester United.
However, there was good news from interim head coach McFarlane on Friday as he confirmed that Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer were back in training after their respective thigh and hamstring issues.
“Joao and Cole have trained,” McFarlane said on Friday.
“They’re in a good place. We don’t know yet. We’ve got another day tomorrow where we’ll look at that and make a decision.
“We hope [they could both start]. They’ll train tomorrow and we’ll make a call.”
Reece James and Levi Colwill remain sidelined, though the latter is closing in on a return to first-team action after appearing in recent Under-21 matches.
Jamie Gittens and Filip Jorgensen are in danger of missing the rest of the season with injuries of their own.
How to watch
12:35 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 2pm BST ahead of a 3pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the HBO Max app and website.
Stay on this page to follow Standard Sport’s live blog!
Good afternoon
12:24 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the Chelsea vs Leeds in the FA Cup semi-final!
Old rivalries renew this afternoon with a place in the final on the line. Can Calum McFarlane’s crisis-stricken Blues get the job done?
All will be revealed! Follow along right here for all the latest from Wembley, with input from our intrepid reporter Dom Smith.
Kick-off is pencilled in for 3pm BST. Stick with us!
