FA Cup

CHELSEA’S Wembley woes continued as they fell to another defeat under the iconic arch.Despite their best efforts they were sunk by an 84th minute Bernardo Silva goal to confirm they will end this season trophyless.Chelsea lost out on a place in the FA Cup finalCredit: ReutersBernardo Silva broke blue hearts with a late goalCredit: ReutersThe Blues looked strong in the first half but were unable to convert an array of chances with Nicolas Jackson leaving his shooting boots at Stamford Bridge.The second half was dominated by City who showed their experience to reach a second consecutive FA Cup final.Here’s how SunSport’s Andrew Dillon rated each Chelsea player’s performance…DORDE PETROVIC – 5Surprisingly not kept that busy against a leggy City team. But his outstretched foot teed up Silva perfectly for the goal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMALO GUSTO – 6Has grown in confidence while standing in for injured captain Reece James. Not the strongest but nimble and quick on the run.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTREVOH CHALOBAH – 5Given a run out to impress on the big stage. One of those up for grabs in the summer as being home grown he represents pure profit in accounting terms.Micah Richards apologises to Frank Lampard on live TV but Chelsea legend has perfect responseTHIAGO SILVA – 6Thiago Silva’s time in London looks close to an endCredit: RexFour matches at Wembley with Chelsea and defeat in them all. This was surely his last chance gone. Out of contract in the summer and 39. Do the mathMARC CUCURELLA – 7Growing into this club. Two clearances form dangerous positions in the first half alone. So unfortunate when Silva’s shot cannoned off him and into the net.Most read in FootballMOISES CAICEDO – 5Guilty of a couple of silly fouls. And put Grealish out of the game with a kick on the knee. City’s man was fuming with the brutal challengeENZO FERNANDEZ – 5Back in the line up after injury and illness. Curiously Chelsea played so free without him in the team on Monday against Everton. Anonymous.CONOR GALLAGHER – 5Shifted out to a left wing role rather than in central midfield. Arguably Chelsea’s most effective player this season.COLE PALMER – 6Kept on a lead with only one real chance in the first half but it did drag a cool one-handed save out of Ortega.NONI MADUEKE – 6Full of tricks and energy. And a great tackle on Jack Grealish in the danger area. Surprise substitution.NICOLAS JACKSON – 5Nicolas Jackson failed to keep his cool in front of goal once againCredit: GettyTrademark miss. Dragged the ball way too wide when put clean through. Then had a shot saved only to miss the follow up header. Unlucky not to get a penalty with a shove by Kyle Walker.SUBSMYKHAILO MUDRYK (for Madueke) – Woeful waste of the final chance to level. 5AXEL DISASI (for Gusto) – Strong physically and will settle next season. 6READ MORE SUN STORIESBEN CHILWELL (for Cucurella) – Should have centred earlier for Sterling to score. 5RAHEEM STERLING (for Enzo Fernandez) – Screaming for the ball to score the equaliser. 6 More

MICAH RICHARDS apologised to Frank Lampard live on air after a bust-up dating back nearly 20 years ago.But the Chelsea legend had the perfect response as Alan Shearer joked about what Richards “really called him” backstage.Micah Richards apologised to Frank Lampard on live TV after clashing nearly 20 years agoCredit: X formerly Twitter / @BBCMOTDLampard and Richards came up against each other when Chelsea beat Man City 6-0Credit: EPASuper Frank joined the pair and Gary Lineker for BBC’s coverage of Chelsea vs Manchester City in the FA Cup semi final.Lampard, who won the competition four times as a Blues player, provided some valuable insights into life at his old club.But talk soon turned to an infamous incident between him and fellow pundit Richards.In 2007, Chelsea thrashed Man City 6-0 in the Premier League.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLampard did not score in that match but did bag an assist for the second goal netted by Didier Drogba.However, before kick-off, he reportedly snubbed Richards in the tunnel.The ex-Man City captain was not happy at getting the cold shoulder, and even more so with the result which he blamed himself for.Richards admitted in October that he had vowed to “smash” Lampard on the field for his blank approach.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERBut speaking on BBC during half-time of Chelsea vs City, Richards offered a heartfelt apology to Lampard.Richards said: “It was 6-0, I was at fault for probably five of the goals.Micah Richards told to ‘consider other career paths’ after dreadful Champions League prediction re-emerges“I’d like to apologise, live on air.”But Lampard had the perfect response as he graciously said: “You haven’t got to apologise. I was probably in the zone.”However, Shearer could not resist mocking Richards.He chimed in: “That’s not what you were saying in the dressing room two hours ago before Frank arrived!“Tell him what you really called him!” More

ZERO-TO-HERO Bernardo Silva roared “make mine a Double instead” with a late winner for jaded Manchester City.Silva’s embarrassing penalty had set City on the road to the agonising Champions League defeat on spot-kicks by Real Madrid that ended their dreams of back-to-back Trebles.Bernardo Silva lit up Wembley with his 84th-minute goalCredit: GettyThe Portuguese star kept his composure to find the back of the netCredit: GettyIt is more Wembley heartache for ChelseaCredit: ReutersBut the Portugal international put himself on the road to redemption by delivering the decisive moment for Pep Guardiola’s ragged-looking team.Despite looking physically and emotionally drained by their midweek exertions, City found a way to win and may well lift the Premier League trophy again before being back here next month for the final.Chelsea suffered yet more Wembley agony after losing the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool in February in the dying minutes of extra-time.That makes it ten defeats in their last 13 since the reopening of the national stadium. But Mauricio Pochettino’s team only had themselves to blame after being the better side for most of the game.The dark Blues should have been home and hosed before the hour.But striker Nicolas Jackson was guilty of failing to convert at least four really good chances.The Senegal striker was lively throughout only for his finishing to let him down again.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERIn the first half, he was played through by Enzo Fernandez and went around City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, only to decide not to shoot with his left and then fail to find a team-mate with a pass with his right.After the break, he found himself one-on-one with Ortega again. Fans convinced Phil Foden hasn’t aged a day as incredible video of 10-year-old Man City star resurfaces He forced a decent save but moments later, when found by a Cole Palmer cross, he sent a close-range header straight at the City goalkeeper.Jackson was by far the most culpable, but Chelsea wasted other chances, too.As for City, Phil Foden had their best opportunities before Silva’s late heroics. In the first half, he ran on to Kevin De Bruyne’s brilliant pass and past Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic but was unable to put a shot on target with his weaker right foot from a tight angle.In the second half, he should probably have done better with his favoured left peg, rather than give Petrovic the opportunity to make a decent enough stop.Marc Cucurella could not prevent the ball flying inCredit: GettyGuardiola sent on Jeremy Doku in search of inspiration and the Belgian was denied by Petrovic’s right leg.With time running out, Doku played his part in the winner. He found De Bruyne whose attempted cutback from the byline was palmed away by Petrovic.  But the ball only went to Silva. After hitting that penalty straight into the grateful arms of Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, he saw his shot deflected into the back of the net off Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.READ MORE SUN STORIESPochettino’s side were given eight minutes of stoppage time to find an equaliser.But Jackson and co could have played all night and not scored.Nicolas Jackson missed a flurry of chances at WembleyCredit: GettyMauricio Pochettino looked on frustrated in the dugoutCredit: APPhil Foden couldn’t squeeze in after rounding Djordje PetrovicCredit: AFPJack Grealish was not happy with this challenge from Moises CaicedoCredit: Reuters More

ERIK TEN HAG has been forced to turn to a rookie youth centre-back as part of the Manchester United squad for tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final.The Red Devils have been hit with an injury crisis ahead of their Wembley bout against Coventry and have called youngster Louis Jackson up to the squad as a result.Louis Jackson (right) has been called up to the Manchester United squad for their FA Cup semi-finalCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeManchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst revealed that the 18-year-old has travelled with the squad ahead of the cup clash.Jackson has never made a senior appearance, but has been an important player for the Red Devils’ U18s and U21s sides this season.The defender has made 15 appearances for the U18s and has played a further six games for the U21s in Premier League 2, the Prem’s development league.Jackson has been called upon by Ten Hag as a result of major injury problem for the Manchester giants.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHarry Maguire is the only fit senior centre-back available for the club with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all ruled out with injury.Ten Hag has turned to 19-year-old starlet Willy Kambwala in recent weeks, but the French youth prospect hasn’t travelled with the squad either after suffering an injury himself.Ten Hag won’t necessarily be forced to start Jackson as a result with the Dutch gaffer reportedly exploring emergency alternatives from within his squad.It’s said that Dutch manager has been experimenting with Casemiro as a centre-back alongside Maguire in training.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSUnited were handed even more injury blows before tomorrow’s clash with Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat also unavailable.The new injuries mean that Man Utd have been hit with 60 separate cases of injury or illness this season alone.Manchester United’s fall from glory since Sir Alex Ferguson More

MANCHESTER UNITED’S injury crisis has hit a new low as three more stars are ruled out for tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final.The Red Devils face Coventry in their Wembley bout on Sunday afternoon and will have to do so without Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat and Willy Kambwala.Erik ten Hag has been hit with even more injury woes ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry CityCredit: GettyMason Mount is one of three new stars to be ruled out for the clashCredit: GettyThe trio of absentees was revealed by Fabrizio Romano who pointed out that United have now seen 60 separate cases of injury or illness this season.The unbelievable stat has sent Man Utd fans into frenzy with many taking to social media to react.One wrote: “On a serious note this is genuinely not normal at all. It’s not a coincidence, something is going wrong behind the scenes.”While another added: “Surely gotta investigate wtf is happening in training?? Unless it’s in games obviously but this is insane now. Training too hard? So frustrating.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA third pointed towards the lack of fitness for Mount and Amrabat, writing: “Mount and Amrabat have been absolutely disastrous signings.”And a fourth commented: “This isn’t bad luck, the amount of injuries we get in training is ridiculous and can’t be a coincidence.”The absence of Willy Kambwala is particularly concerning for United who now only have one senior centre-back fit for the cup clash tomorrow.Harry Maguire is the lone available central defender with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all ruled out with injury.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSErik Ten Hag has been forced to turn to 18-year-old Louis Jackson as a result with the teenager travelling with the squad for the semi-final.Jackson has never made a senior appearance but has been an important player for the Red Devils’ U18s and U21s sides this season.Manchester United’s fall from glory since Sir Alex Ferguson Although, Jackson may not be making his debut on the hallowed turf of Wembley with Ten Hag reportedly testing out alternative options.It is said that the Dutch gaffer has been testing Casemiro out as a centre-back alongside Maguire as an emergency option for tomorrow’s game.Willy Kambwala has joined Man Utd’s long list of injured centre-backsCredit: GettyLouis Jackson (right) has been called up to the squad as an emergency optionCredit: Getty More

ERLING HAALAND has been left out of the Manchester City squad for their FA Cup semi-final this afternoon.The treble winners take on Chelsea at Wembley as they look to bounce back from their European heartbreak on Wednesday night.Erling Haaland is not in the Manchester City squad to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final todayCredit: GettyHaaland was substituted off before extra time as Man City were knocked out of the Champions League on penalties by Real Madrid earlier this week.And there had been some doubts over his fitness after the game with Pep Guardiola explaining he had asked to be substituted during the match.Speaking in his pre-match press conference for today’s Wembley clash, Guardiola said: “Erling felt something, a muscular issue and that’s why he said he could not continue.”He added: “The doctor said it was a little bit niggles and we will see the evolution in the next hours.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The amount of games we are playing this season and the previous season and not much recovery and extra time and high intensity and the way we played, put a lot of pressure on our game. “They are human beings, not machines. Sometimes the fatigue is there.”Haaland has failed to live up to his own high goal-scoring standards this season after breaking the Premier League record for the most goals scored in a single campaign last term.But despite being somewhat off the pace, he has still found the net more than any other City player this season and his absence will be a huge blow for Guardiola and Co.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe striker has netted 31 goals and registered six assists in all competitions this season, some nine goals more than their second highest scorer Phil Foden.It’s Julian Alvarez that takes Haaland’s place in the starting lineup with the World Cup winner making his 48th appearance of the season.Haaland and Grealish Friendship Test About Favourite Food – YouTube Premier League.mp4City will be hoping a spot in a second consecutive FA Cup final will help go some way to mending the wounds of Wednesday’s heartache and put them back on track for their final push in the Premier League too. More

COVENTRY hero Callum O’Hare is 90 minutes away from taking comparisons with Jack Grealish to a glorious new high.The exciting playmaker aims to replicate the Manchester City hero’s Wembley joy against Man United last year with victory in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.Callum O’Hare has looked up to Jack Grealish but now hopes to be on a level in one respect, with FA Cup victory over Man Utd at WembleyCredit: RexMan City ace Grealish gave O’Hare advice when they were at Aston VillaCredit: ReutersCity’s 2-1 triumph over the Red Devils in the 2023 final was part two of a famous Treble for Pep Guardiola’s men.In contrast, Championship play-off hopefuls Coventry aim to become the first  team outside the Premier League to reach the domestic showpiece since Cardiff in 2008.O’Hare, 25, was at first club Aston Villa from 2016-20, enough time to learn from a club-mate who later left for City in a £100million deal and became an England star.He told Sky Sports: “It was after I left Villa when I got those comparisons to Jack. READ MORE TOP STORIES”He’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen play, so to be compared to him is a bit of an honour.”But O’Hare, who won a single England Under-20 cap in 2017, added: “It doesn’t put any pressure on me. I can only do as well as I can do. “I know I need to improve in some areas and I think I’m on the right path and I can get to that stage one day.”He believes comparing him to Grealish has some validity – but for painful as well as a flattering reasons.Most read in FA CupThe former Carlisle loanee said: “I can kind of see it because we both play in a similar way and we both get fouled a lot. “But we’re obviously two different players and he’s doing his thing now. I’m really happy for him as he really deserves it.Gary Neville ‘lost faith’ with ‘scrawny and erratic’ Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd before transformation into a ‘machine'”He’s the most expensive English player. Everyone aspires to be like that but I’m not really surprised. “I’ve seen him play numerous times and everyone could see it coming. “In ability he would push me in training and he’d always give me advice and that really meant a lot. Hopefully I’ve learned from it.” More