McFarlane hails Chelsea’s display as Blues set up FA Cup final with Manchester City
By Luke Oluoch, April 27, 2026Chelsea FC interim coach Callum McFarlane reserved praise for his side following Sunday, April 26, 2026, victory in the FA Cup semi-final over Leeds United.
The gaffer described the victory as a ‘momentum breaker’ following their run of poor form in the league.
Chelsea failed to score in the five-game losing streak in the Premier League, which cost Liam Rosenior, but it took them only 23 minutes to find the breakthrough against Leeds in a 1-0 win.
Confidence
“I think it was important to break the momentum and the form that we were in.
“I thought we were confident that we would do that today, and I think that completely changes the feel within the group. I think that was probably more important and gives us confidence going into the next five games,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports.
City vs. Chelsea in FA Cup final
While hoping the win ushers a new fighting spirit in the team, the interim boss added that they have set their sights on winning all their remaining games, which include a potentially season-defining clash against Manchester City, whom they will meet in the finals of the domestic cup in May 2026.
“It’s unfortunately not worked out like that this year, but we want to win every single game from now to the end of the season, as you do in any season. But it’s not extra motivation. We want to do it for ourselves; we want to do it for the fans and the club, everyone.”
He also singled out match winner Enzo Fernandez, extolling the rare attributes that make him tick for the Blues side.
“I said to him, ‘You like scoring at the back post for me,’ and he just laughed. He does that really well. He’s done it all year.”
“It is one of his biggest attributes that when you attack down the right, the timing of his runs, his ability to actually get good distance and height on his jump, and his heading technique are really good. He’s a winner,” he explained.
“He’s got so much talent. He’s got so much fight. He’s massive for this group.
“And the best thing about Enzo is that he can do a bit of everything. But when it gets tough, you see the fight in him; you see him driving the group on, you see him making tackles, and you see him fighting for every loose ball. So he was exceptional today and deserved his man of the match.”
The West Londoners will be keen to beat Man City and salvage what has been a dismal season with some silverware.