City hold off Chelsea to win
15 April 2013 12:18 AM GMT
Manchester City withstood a valiant fightback from Chelsea to win a gripping FA Cup semifinal 2-1 at Wembley Stadium on Sunday and knock the holders out of the competition.
Goals in each half from Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero put City in control, but Chelsea replied through Demba Ba, only for Roberto Mancini’s men to resist the holders’ desperate search for an equaliser.
Fifteen points behind Manchester United in the Premier League, City seem destined to relinquish their league crown, but they will be strong favourites to defeat Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final on May 11 and reclaim the trophy they won in 2011.
For Chelsea, there will be no fifth FA Cup in seven seasons, and although there is the consolation of a Europa League semifinal with Basel, interim manager Rafael Benitez will hope his tired squad still have enough energy for the battle to win a Champions League place for next season.
Goals in each half from Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero put City in control, but Chelsea replied through Demba Ba, only for Roberto Mancini’s men to resist the holders’ desperate search for an equaliser.
Fifteen points behind Manchester United in the Premier League, City seem destined to relinquish their league crown, but they will be strong favourites to defeat Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final on May 11 and reclaim the trophy they won in 2011.
For Chelsea, there will be no fifth FA Cup in seven seasons, and although there is the consolation of a Europa League semifinal with Basel, interim manager Rafael Benitez will hope his tired squad still have enough energy for the battle to win a Champions League place for next season.
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