HomeFA CupFive memorable cup clashes between Man City and Chelsea

Five memorable cup clashes between Man City and Chelsea

Manchester City and Chelsea have regularly met at the business end of major competitions in recent seasons.

The Blues of Manchester and West London have been two of the most successful sides in English football across the last decade, with transformative takeovers having turned each into Premier League powerhouses since the turn of the century.

Rivalries will renew this weekend in the FA Cup semi-finals and, ahead of their clash at Wembley, we’ve remembered five of the most memorable modern cup clashes between the teams.

Five memorable cup clashes between Manchester City and Chelsea:

Chelsea 1-2 Manchester City – FA Cup semi-final (2013)

The FA Cup semi-finals pitted together the two previous winners in 2013, as Manchester City faced Chelsea at Wembley.

Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City side had won a maiden Premier League title the previous season and took a two-goal lead in the semi-final. Samir Nasri opened the scoring 10 minutes before the break as the ball fell fortuitously to the midfielder to steer in the opener.

Sergio Aguero doubled the advantage just two minutes after the restart, as the Argentine rose to meet Gareth Barry’s cross and head in City’s second. Demba Ba’s acrobatic finish set up a nervy finish, as Chelsea piled on the pressure without finding an equaliser.

City held on to reach an FA Cup final against Wigan Athletic but suffered a shock defeat in the decider as Ben Watson’s 91st-minute goal earned the Latics the trophy.

Chelsea 5-1 Manchester City – FA Cup fifth round (2016)

Chelsea ran riot against Manchester City in the 2015/16 FA Cup, as the west Londoners thrashed an under-strength side. Manuel Pellegrini included five teenage debutants in the City team, having been irritated with the scheduling of the clash ahead of a Champions League tie with Dynamo Kyiv.

One of the visitor’s debutants, David Faupala, equalised for Manchester City almost immediately after Diego Costa’s opener at Stamford Bridge, with the score level at 1-1 at half-time.


However, the experience of Chelsea told after the break with goals from Willian and Gary Cahill putting the Blues ahead before Eden Hazard’s free-kick added a fourth. A header from Bertrand Traore completed the scoring and booked Chelsea a quarter-final tie against Everton.

Chelsea 0-0 Manchester City, 3-4 pens – League Cup final (2019)

An otherwise forgettable League Cup final remembered for one moment.

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s defiance of Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri was the headline at the full-time whistle, as the Spanish shot-stopper ignored Sarri’s plan to substitute him for the penalty shootout.

Kepa had been struggling with cramp in the closing stages and Sarri sought to introduce Willy Caballero for penalties, with the veteran goalkeeper ready to come on against his former side, having starred during Manchester City’s 2016 success.

Kepa refused to come off, with a furious Sarri eventually backing down, before Chelsea went on to lose the shootout as Jorginho and David Luiz missed from the spot.

A bizarre conclusion to a cup final, as Kepa undermined his manager’s authority at Wembley.

Chelsea 1-0 Manchester City – FA Cup semi-final (2021)

Thomas Tuchel appeared to have Pep Guardiola’s number during the closing stages of the 2020/21 campaign. Three times Chelsea faced Manchester City in quick succession and on each occasion, it was the west Londoners who prevailed.

The first meeting saw the teams meet in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. Chelsea continued their excellent defensive record under Tuchel, who replaced Frank Lampard as manager in January, to record a 14th clean sheet in 19 games since the German’s appointment.

Hakim Ziyech scored the only goal for the Blues in a deserved win, as the Moroccan turned in the winner from Timo Werner’s pass.

Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea – Champions League final (2021)

Just over a month later the two teams renewed acquaintances, though this time on the biggest stage in club football. Only the third-ever all-English Champions League final saw Chelsea face Manchester City in Porto, with the latter aiming to win an elusive first European crown.

Pep Guardiola sprang a surprise with his team selection after starting without a specialist defensive midfielder, leaving Fernandinho and Rodri on the bench in a gamble that backfired.

Mason Mount’s defence-splitting pass freed Kai Havertz in behind who rounded Ederson to score the winner for Chelsea three minutes before half-time.

Chelsea had the best chances on a frustrating night for Manchester City and held onto their lead to claim a second Champions League title, while City’s wait for European honours extended.

Read – Five of the best FA Cup semi-finals of modern times

See more – Six talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

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