Fair to say, things have not been going to plan for Chelsea of late, losing five successive league games without scoring for the first time since the year the Titanic sank, but they could still pick up yet more silverware. On Sunday, in a game that certainly was not a classic, Enzo Fernández's first half header was enough to see the Blues overcome fierce rivals Leeds United at Wembley.
Led by interim boss Calum McFarlane, they will now face Manchester City in the FA Cup Final on 16 May, but the club's recent record in domestic cup finals does not lend itself to optimism.
Chelsea's domestic cup final results (2019-present)
- 24 February 2019: Carabao Cup Final - Chelsea 0-0 Man City (Man City won 4-3 on pens).
- 1 August 2020: FA Cup Final - Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal.
- 15 May 2021: FA Cup Final - Chelsea 0-1 Leicester City.
- 27 February 2022: Carabao Cup Final - Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool won 11-10 on pens).
- 14 May 2022: FA Cup Final - Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool won 6-5 on pens).
- 25 February 2024: Carabao Cup Final - Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool (after extra time).
Chelsea have lost each of their last six domestic cup finals, three of which have been after penalty shootouts, with each of the last three coming against Liverpool. Christian Pulisic is in fact the only Chelsea player to even score a goal in these finals, doing so behind-closed-doors against Arsenal.
Between 2020 and 2022, Chelsea became the first club to ever lose in the FA Cup Final in three seasons in a row, a record Manchester City will match if the Blues defeat the Sky Blues next month. Of course, during this time-frame, the club have won the Europa League, the Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup, the UEFA Conference League and last summer's expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
To be crowned champions of Europe for the second time in 2021, it was of course Man City who Thomas Tuchel's team beat in the final; Kai Havertz was the match-winner that night at the Estádio do Dragão. However, since then, their record against Pep Guardiola's side is horrendous.
Chelsea vs Manchester City head-to-head record (2021/22-present)
- Matches Played: 13.
- Chelsea Wins: 0. Draws: 3. Manchester City Wins: 10.
- Chelsea Goals Scored: 7. Manchester City Goals Scored: 25.
Manchester City have won ten of their last 13 encounters with Chelsea, of which nine have been victories to nil, including their 3-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge earlier this month. In fact, four of the seven goals the Blues have scored against the Sky Blues (57%) came in one game, that bonkers 4-4 draw in West London in November 2023.
By every available metric, McFarlane's team will be massive underdogs at the national stadium next month, but he has already masterminded a 1-1 draw at the Etihad in January, so can the rookie outwit Guardiola and hoist silverware aloft?
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