Chelsea booked their ticket to the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Leeds.
Enzo Fernandez’s first-half header was enough to separate the sides at Wembley and set up Chelsea’s clash with Manchester City on May 16.
It marked a successful return for Calum McFarlane as caretaker boss, with the 40-year-old taking the reins for a second stint this term after the sacking of Liam Rosenior.
This wasn’t pretty but after seven defeats in their eight prior games, the Blues were just relieved to get the job done. Where had a winning performance like this been in recent weeks?
KIERAN GILL and TOM COLLOMOSSE were at the national stadium to bring you our player ratings.
Chelsea are in the FA Cup final, where they face Manchester City, after beating Leeds 1-0
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
Robert Sanchez – 7.5
Two sensational saves to deny Brenden Aaronson and Anton Stach, along with other routine stops, reminded us what an elite goalkeeper he can be.
Malo Gusto – 6.5
Overcame Ao Tanaka stomping on his foot within 15 seconds. Inverted from right-back into an attacking position in what were familiar tactics from Chelsea.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6.5
Confident enough to try the odd trick, but after one such drop of the shoulder, he gave away the ball and needed bailing out by his goalkeeper.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 6.5
Preferred to Wesley Fofana, who was dropped after the Brighton debacle. The odd dodgy defensive moment, but added leadership to the back line overall.
Marc Cucurella – 6.5
Complained that Dominic Calvert-Lewin had tugged on his curly mop, but the VAR team decided it was not red-card worthy. Much more traditional left-back.
Marc Cucurella played a more traditional role at left-back, fending off Brenden Aaronson
Moises Caicedo – 7
We have grown so used to seeing Caicedo pass sideways but here, he was looking forwards, trying to send balls in behind for the attackers.
Romeo Lavia – 6
Kept it simple so his work can go unnoticed. Removed after 66 minutes, so still we wait for his first full 90 in a Chelsea shirt.
Pedro Neto – 7
Nice cross which found Fernandez for Chelsea to take the lead. He can be such a threat at full speed, as Leeds discovered.
Moises Caicedo came off injured but before that, he was always looking to play the ball forward
Enzo Fernandez – 7.5
After zero shots on target at Brighton from Chelsea, Fernandez’s 30-yard crack set the tone, then he headed in Chelsea’s 23rd-minute opener with ease.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5.5
One promising attack ended with Garnacho’s poor touch sending the ball out for a goal-kick, which summed up his season. Some cheers when he was subbed.
Joao Pedro – 8
Chelsea’s difference-maker, returning from a thigh problem to act as a proper focal point. Struck the post, and won the ball before their opener.
Enzo Fernandez scored the only goal of the game as he headed Chelsea in front in the first half
Manager Calum McFarlane – 7.5
The interim had his players actually showing some passion. This was a world away from what we saw at Brighton under his predecessor Liam Rosenior.
Substitutes
Andrey Santos (for Lavia, 66)
Came on to help Chelsea regain control of this contest.
Cole Palmer (for Garnacho, 71)
Fit enough to man the right wing for the final stages.
Liam Delap (for Joao Pedro, 90+8)
N/A
LEEDS UNITED (3-4-2-1)
LUCAS PERRI – 6
One of Leeds’ heroes from the quarter-final, he could do little to stop Fernandez’s goal and was also lucky not to be beaten by Joao Pedro at his near post.
JAMES JUSTIN – 5
Allowed Joao Pedro to sneak goal side of him for the shot that struck the post. Asked to help Bogle contain Garnacho and was subbed at half-time as Leeds changed shape.
JAKA BIJOL – 5
A poor header presented Lavia with possession and led to Joao Pedro’s near miss. Often struggled with the Brazilian’s movement and seemed unsure at the heart of the back three. Subbed at the break.
PASCAL STRUIJK – 5
Gave the ball away to Joao Pedro for the move that brought Fernandez’s opener and was given the runaround by Joao Pedro for the majority of the match. Booked.
JAYDEN BOGLE – 7
Gave a relatively good account of himself against Garnacho, who is a tricky customer, and did well when carrying the ball into Chelsea territory.
Jayden Bogle was Leeds’ best player and did well carrying the ball into opposition territory
ETHAN AMPADU – 5.5
The Leeds skipper was chasing shadows for much of the first half as his team were outnumbered by Chelsea in midfield and will wonder how Fernandez was unmarked for the goal. Booked.
AO TANAKA – 5.5
Bright start, winning a tackle on Gusto that set Okafor clear in the opening minute, but he found it difficult and was lucky not to be punished when he was robbed close to his own box.
GABRIEL GUDMUNDSSON – 6
Like Bogle on the other side, the Swede had his work cut out against a winger as direct as Neto, and he found it tough. Rarely able to move forward.
BRENDEN AARONSON – 6
What a chance he wasted when the score was 0-0 and the American was one-on-one with Sanchez. That aside, he was diligent but barely threatened.
NOAH OKAFOR – 6.5
Sometimes dangerous, always chaotic. Won a free-kick in a great position early on and then later blasted wildly high and wide when well-placed.
Noah Okafor was always dangerous and chaotic but lacked the end product needed
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN – 6
Survived a VAR check for a red card for a pull on Cucurella’s hair. Had little change from Chelsea’s centre-backs in the first half and then headed too close to Sanchez.
MANAGER DANIEL FARKE – 5.5
Saw his side outnumbered in midfield in the first half and changed the system for the second period. When it clearly wasn’t working, why wait until half-time?
SUBSTITUTES
JOE RODON – 6 (for Bijol, 46)
Partnered Struijk in the centre of defence when Leeds made the switch to a back four and handled Joao Pedro better than the Dutchman.
ANTON STACH – 7 (for Justin, 46)
With virtually his first touch he forced a brilliant save from Sanchez with a 25-yard piledriver and Leeds looked a better team with him on.
LUKAS NMECHA – 6 (for Tanaka, 74)
Booked
WILFRIED GNONTO – 6 (for Okafor, 74)
SEAN LONGSTAFF – 6 (for Aaronson, 86)
REFEREE JARRED GILLETT – 6.5
Got most things right although perhaps did too little to clamp down on Chelsea’s frequent attempts to run down the clock.
