Bernardo Silva banishes Real Madrid demons to send Man City into ...

THREE days after his penalty miss contributed to Manchester City’s Champions League exit, Bernardo Silva went some way towards making amends.

The Portuguese produced the decisive moment to secure his side’s place in the FA Cup final and keep alive City’s hopes of completing another league and cup double alive.

Silva’s 84th minute finish made the difference in a closely-fought semi-final. Chelsea, though, will rue their failure to make more of a number of opportunities to ensure it was they who would be returning to Wembley next month.

The win ensured a difficult week for City - and Silva - ended on a high. Pep Guardiola was insisted before kick-off that his side’s performance against Real Madrid on Wednesday meant he did not view their exit after a penalty shoot-out to be a disappointment.

Yet while the manager was determined to remain upbeat, the demands of playing 120 tension-filled minutes against the La Liga side appeared to have taken its toll as City struggled to find their usual fluency during the first half. It was credit to their character and resolve that they eventually found a way past a Chelsea side who once again suffered Wembley disappointment having come off second best to Liverpool in the League Cup final.

The City manager made four changes to his starting line-up but there was a lack of precision to their passing with Chelsea looking sharper for much of the first half. Pochettino’s side were quick to close down their opponents and repeatedly threatened to catch City out on the counter-attack. With more conviction, they might have reached half time ahead.

Nicolas Jackson was the guiltiest culprit, particularly when he was sent clear from halfway in the 29th minute. The Chelsea forward rounded City keeper Stefan Ortega but failed to get his chance off on time and the opportunity was gone.

City’s best first half opportunity also came from a break following a Chelsea corner. Kevin De Bruyne released Phil Foden inside the box who was also unable to find a finishing touch after being pushed wide by Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic. City, though, failed to assert themselves in their usual way although they started to show more promising signs shortly before the interval.

It was Chelsea, though, who started the second period more promisingly only for Jackson to spurn two more clear chances in quick succession. The striker placed his initial shot too close to Ortega who was able to push the effort away. And when the ball was returned into the box, Jackson could only direct a tame header straight at the keeper.

City responded with Foden directing his side’s first effort on target, setting the tone for a much more dynamic second half. Chelsea were denied two penalty appeals, first when a free-kick struck Jack Grealish’s arm and then when Jackson went to ground after a Kyle Walker shoulder charge, while the introduction of Jeremy Doku sparked fresh life into Guardiola’s side.

And it was City who finally conjured the finish needed to make the breakthrough in the 84th minute. De Bruyne was the architect, moving towards the byline to collect Doku’s pass before delivering a low cross that was deflected towards Silva at the far post and the Portuguese finished with a first time effort.

Manchester City (3-2-4-1): Ortega 6; Walker 6, Stones 6 (Dias 46, 6), Ake 7; Akanji 7, Rodri 6; Bernardo Silva 7, Foden 6, De Bruyne 8, Grealish 7 (Doku 65, 6); Alvarez 6 (Bobb 88, 6).

Subs not used: Ederson, Dias, Kovacic, Gomez, Gvardiol, Nunes, Lewis.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Petrovic 6; Gusto 7 (Disasi 79, 6), Chalobah 6, Silva 6, Cucurella 7 (Chilwell 88, 6); Caicedo 6, Gallagher 6; Madueke 6 (Mudryk 79, 6), Palmer 7, Fernandez 6 (Sterling 88, 6); Jackson 4.

Subs not used: Bettinelli, Badiashile, Gilchrist, Chukwuemeka, Washington.

Referee: Michael Oliver 6