By Henry Vinter | 19 April 2056
It wasn’t the free-scoring demolition we have become accustomed to, but it was arguably sweeter. In a tense, gritty FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley, Chelsea proved they can win ugly when they have to, edging past Manchester United 2-1 to keep their “Quintuple” dream alive.
While the forwards usually grab the headlines, it was midfielder José Franco who stepped into the spotlight, scoring a stunning winner to send the Blues back to the national stadium for next month’s final against Manchester City.
Valera Strikes Early
The game began with a sense of déjà vu for United fans. Just 7 minutes in, Chelsea’s “Wonderkid” Nacho Valera rose to meet a cross, burying a “fine header from point-blank range” to make it 1-0. It was the perfect start, and for a while, it looked like another rout was on the cards.
But United, managed by a desperate dugout trying to save their season, dug in. They frustrated Chelsea, disrupted the rhythm, and just before halftime, they landed a counter-punch. Legendary striker Jamie Jones equalized in the 44th minute with a close-range header, sending the teams into the break level at 1-1.
The Franco Intervention
The second half was a cagey affair. Chelsea dominated possession (55%) but struggled to break down a stubborn United block. It required a moment of magic, and José Franco provided it.
In the 76th minute, the 25-year-old midfielder collected the ball outside the box and unleashed a “skidding drive” that flew into the bottom corner. It was a goal worthy of winning any semi-final.
Franco was rightfully named Player of the Match with an impressive 8.0 rating. His all-action performance was evident in his remarkable tally of 47 tackles this season. Additionally, he demonstrated exceptional accuracy by completing 90% of his passes. Franco’s contributions were instrumental in propelling Chelsea to a well-deserved victory.
The Final Showdown: City Awaits
The victory sets up a mouth-watering FA Cup Final against Manchester City on Saturday, 20th May 2056.
It is a repeat of the 2027 Final—a long time ago in history, but fresh in the rivalry. City, currently 4th in the Premier League, will be looking to spoil the party. But with the League wrapped up, the Carabao Cup won, and a Champions League Semi-Final against Real Madrid on the horizon, Chelsea are now just two games away from a domestic clean sweep.