Enzo Fernandez produces distinctive show for Chelsea in Leeds win

Enzo Fernández netted the decisive objective as Chelsea defeated Leeds United at Wembley to achieve their seventeenth FA Cup last, and first since 2022.

Fernández’s open admiration for Enzo Maresca through the worldwide break and a flirtatious admiration for the town of Madrid resulted in a advantageous and a two-game suspension, together with the quarter-final rout of Port Vale.

Following a dismal sequence of 5 consecutive league defeats with out discovering the web — their worst run since 1912 — the choice to half methods with Liam Rosenior earlier within the week seems, for now, to have been justified.

Again within the facet and as soon as once more carrying the captain’s armband, the Argentine stepped as much as open the scoring early within the first half, marking the start of Calum McFarlane’s second spell in cost this season.

At full time, Fernandez completed the sport with 79 touches and accomplished 49 out of his 59 passes with an 83% success charge, in response to stats from FOTMOB.

He was the important thing orchestrator of Chelsea’s assault and defence, dropping deep throughout build-up and when Leeds had been in possession, whereas additionally being on the proper attacking place when the Blues had been on the assault, which led to his objective within the first half.

Distinctive efficiency

Chelsea may have added extra from his 4 created probabilities, however he was scientific sufficient to attain from one in every of his two pictures on objective.

McFarlane utilised the 25-year-old’s passing vary to full impact within the recreation, as evidenced by his eight passes into the ultimate third. On the similar time, he was additionally dependable in preserving the lead, making 4 recoveries, three tackles and eight floor duels gained.

The Argentine worldwide has now taken his tally to 13 targets throughout all competitions this season, with solely Morgan Gibbs-White (16) netting extra amongst Premier League midfielders through the 2025–26 marketing campaign.

Chelsea have now progressed to their seventeenth FA Cup Ultimate, with solely Manchester United (22) and Arsenal (21) reaching the ultimate extra occasions within the competitors’s historical past.

It marked a transparent enchancment from the Blues, who entered the competition on the again of seven defeats of their earlier eight outings throughout all competitions.

They’re set to return to Wembley Stadium on Could 16 to face Manchester Metropolis, marking their first last since 2022, the place Liverpool beat them on penalties.