Well, Chelsea still have a chance to salvage some pride – and silverware – from what, up until now, has been a lacklustre season, writes Jane Grove.
The only obstacle in their way is an in-form, treble-chasing Man City, their opponents in the FA Cup final.
Sunday’s semi-final at Wembley against old rivals Leeds turned out to be a pedestrian affair with captain Enzo Fernández perfectly timed header in the first half being the difference between the sides. 1-0 to the Blues.
In truth, Chelsea were always on top, dominating possession, with Alejandro Garnacho and a returning Joao Pedro, a whisker away from notching up the scoreline.
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But there were also a couple of scares at the other end which Blues’ keeper Robert Sánchez managed to see off.
The often hot-headed Spaniard was cool under pressure when he was called into action early on to deny United’s winger Brenden Aaronson.
He also performed heroics less than a minute into the second half when Leeds substitute Anton Stach let loose a piledriver which Sánchez tipped over.
“We haven’t been in the best form,” said interim coach Calum McFarlane, referring to the Blues’ recent Premier and Champions League drubbings under the leadership of Liam Rosenior, who was sacked last week after only 106 days in charge.
“It feels like this could shift the momentum and get our season back on track, so I’m really happy that the players got what they deserved.”
“It’s amazing; amazing for the players, amazing for the club. It’s a massive competition and Chelsea have a great history in it.”
Indeed they do. Let’s see what McFarlane’s men can do on May 16 in Chelsea’s 17th appearance in the FA Cup final.
In between now and then they have the little matter of top-flight games against Notts Forest (May 4) and Liverpool (May 9) to deal with.
