With Chelsea and Manchester City set to renew acquaintances in the semi-final of the FA Cup in Wembley this Sunday, there are some interesting facts which might give us an idea as to which team has an edge over the other.
This Sunday, Wembley will play host to the semi-final of this season’s FA Cup between Chelsea and Manchester City – two sides, which need to win some silverware by the end of the season in order to justify their spending spree.
Winner of this game will play either Wigan or Milwall in the final which is the reason why many people have gone on to call this particular clash as an unofficial final. Although both sides have been met with disappointments in their respective campaigns this season, both have an equal chance of ending the season with one or even two trophies.
Chelsea’s impressive record at Wembley
Only one word sums up Chelsea’s profound love with the FA Cup and Wembley – extraordinary.
Before 1997, the Blues had just one FA Cup trophy in their cabinet. However, since then, they have played the final of the competition on seven occasions and have lost just once. This does not end here. Ever since the new Wembley Stadium started playing host to this competition’s semi-finals and finals, Chelsea have more or less made the stadium their home venue.
The first FA Cup final to be played at the new Wembley was won by Chelsea and the Blues have not lost in six visits to the stadium in this competition.
Taking penalty shoot-outs out of context, the Blues have not lost their last 29 FA Cup games which is indeed a record any side in the world would be proud of.
Manchester City’s hold over the Londoners
Although their history with the competition is second to none, Chelsea have not really been that dominant over City in recent times. In the last nine games between the two sides in all competitions, it is Manchester City who have won six of the ties and lost just two.
Possession
In the last five Premier League and one Community Shield game between the two sides, it is once again Roberto Mancini’s side that have enjoyed more possession on four separate occasions.
Why Chelsea have the edge?
Apart from the consistency of Juan Mata, Chelsea fans do not really have been given many reasons to smile. Last season, the Spanish international was the club’s player of the year and this season, the former Valencia man has continued from where he left off. The midfielder is one player who will play a huge role in deciding the outcome of Sunday’s encounter.
Furthermore, the Spaniard is also the club’s lucky charm. Of four matches he has missed this season, Chelsea have managed to win just one which goes on to show the importance the playmaker has in the starting XI.
In the FA Cup this season, Mata has really been himself to say the least. In the 380 minutes he has played in, the midfielder has scored one goal and has provided five assists.
His under fire Spanish teammate Fernando Torres, who had been under criticism all season long, is finally showing glimpses of his former self. The former Liverpool man has scored three goals in as many matches, with all his goals coming against Rubin Kazan in Europa League outings.
Why City have the edge?
Unlike last season, Manchester City have not really been that prolific in front of goal this time around. However, this has not really been a problem for star striker, Carlos Tevez in the FA Cup. The striker has already found the net five times in four games this season which included a brilliant hat-trick against Barnsley.
Furthermore, Tevez simply loves playing against Chelsea. In total, the striker has scored eight goals in 10 games against the Londoners. Moreover, the striker also has a healthy minutes-per-goal ratio this year (117.6) plus a 24.2 % shot conversion rate.
Conclusion
The above stats show that when it comes to playing in Wembley, no one loves it more than Chelsea. However, ruling out Manchester City’s chances would be foolish as The Citizens take their game to the next level when it comes to cup games.
A mouth-watering encounter between two of the biggest sides in the country is on the horizon and when the two teams enter the field, stats will be forgotten as games and cups are not won on the basis of past achievements.
Winner of this game will play either Wigan or Milwall in the final which is the reason why many people have gone on to call this particular clash as an unofficial final. Although both sides have been met with disappointments in their respective campaigns this season, both have an equal chance of ending the season with one or even two trophies.
Chelsea’s impressive record at Wembley
Only one word sums up Chelsea’s profound love with the FA Cup and Wembley – extraordinary.
Before 1997, the Blues had just one FA Cup trophy in their cabinet. However, since then, they have played the final of the competition on seven occasions and have lost just once. This does not end here. Ever since the new Wembley Stadium started playing host to this competition’s semi-finals and finals, Chelsea have more or less made the stadium their home venue.
The first FA Cup final to be played at the new Wembley was won by Chelsea and the Blues have not lost in six visits to the stadium in this competition.
Taking penalty shoot-outs out of context, the Blues have not lost their last 29 FA Cup games which is indeed a record any side in the world would be proud of.
Manchester City’s hold over the Londoners
Although their history with the competition is second to none, Chelsea have not really been that dominant over City in recent times. In the last nine games between the two sides in all competitions, it is Manchester City who have won six of the ties and lost just two.
Possession
In the last five Premier League and one Community Shield game between the two sides, it is once again Roberto Mancini’s side that have enjoyed more possession on four separate occasions.
Why Chelsea have the edge?
Apart from the consistency of Juan Mata, Chelsea fans do not really have been given many reasons to smile. Last season, the Spanish international was the club’s player of the year and this season, the former Valencia man has continued from where he left off. The midfielder is one player who will play a huge role in deciding the outcome of Sunday’s encounter.
Furthermore, the Spaniard is also the club’s lucky charm. Of four matches he has missed this season, Chelsea have managed to win just one which goes on to show the importance the playmaker has in the starting XI.
In the FA Cup this season, Mata has really been himself to say the least. In the 380 minutes he has played in, the midfielder has scored one goal and has provided five assists.
His under fire Spanish teammate Fernando Torres, who had been under criticism all season long, is finally showing glimpses of his former self. The former Liverpool man has scored three goals in as many matches, with all his goals coming against Rubin Kazan in Europa League outings.
Why City have the edge?
Unlike last season, Manchester City have not really been that prolific in front of goal this time around. However, this has not really been a problem for star striker, Carlos Tevez in the FA Cup. The striker has already found the net five times in four games this season which included a brilliant hat-trick against Barnsley.
Furthermore, Tevez simply loves playing against Chelsea. In total, the striker has scored eight goals in 10 games against the Londoners. Moreover, the striker also has a healthy minutes-per-goal ratio this year (117.6) plus a 24.2 % shot conversion rate.
Conclusion
The above stats show that when it comes to playing in Wembley, no one loves it more than Chelsea. However, ruling out Manchester City’s chances would be foolish as The Citizens take their game to the next level when it comes to cup games.
A mouth-watering encounter between two of the biggest sides in the country is on the horizon and when the two teams enter the field, stats will be forgotten as games and cups are not won on the basis of past achievements.
