Chelsea 'fear' against 'big bad wolf' Manchester City in FA Cup final can bring out the best in them, says Joe Cole

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Joe Cole believes Chelsea can channel the "fear" of facing formidable opponents Manchester City in next month's Emirates FA Cup final to get the best out of themselves and end a tumultuous campaign on an unlikely high.

Highlights: Fernandez strikes as Chelsea down Leeds at Wembley to set up Man City showdown

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Enzo Fernandez’s first-half header secured a 1-0 victory for The Blues over Leeds United at Wembley on Sunday, sealing their place in the Emirates FA Cup final just four days after the dismissal of head coach Liam Rosenior.

Putting recent struggles and off-field uncertainty behind them, Chelsea delivered a markedly improved performance under interim Calum McFarlane.

With Leeds unable to reach their recent standards, Fernandez’s decisive intervention ultimately proved the difference - and Cole feels the profile of opponent standing in the way of a ninth FA Cup triumph could work in their favour.

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"There's no fixed way to get to the top in any profession and particularly in football," Cole told TNT Sports. "Callum is there, in the seat right now, and he could be managing Chelsea in an FA Cup final.

"What a privileged position and he'd have been dreaming of it when he started his coaching career. Manchester City are the big bad wolves at the moment, they're the team to beat, but Chelsea have turned up in big games.

"If anything, this group of players, when they have that little bit of fear in them, they seem to grow. Some players can do it against everyone but others need to get a bit of fear in their bones, and I think Man City will certainly do that. You never know - on the day, anything could happen."

Chelsea are 10 points adrift of fifth-placed Aston Villa in their quest to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League with four league games remaining, but they will return to Wembley on May 16 to face Man City in the Cup final - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

'The biggest day of his football life' as caretaker McFarlane leads Chelsea to FA Cup final

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It will be their first appearance at that stage since 2022, when they were beaten by Liverpool on penalties, but they will be heavy outsiders given their recent Premier League struggles.

Bearing little resemblance to the side humbled 3-0 at Brighton in midweek, Chelsea threatened early on against Leeds, with Joao Pedro striking the base of the post before McFarlane watched his side take the lead in the 23rd minute through Fernandez's well-timed run and header.

Just a few short weeks ago, the Argentina international had been slapped with an internal two-match ban for "crossing the line" in the eyes of the club's hierarchy and Rosenior, but this was a true captain's performance from Fernandez, who was deservedly named player of the match.

If Chelsea are to prevail in their 17th FA Cup final appearance, their all-action midfielder will need to have a big say on proceedings and McFarlane was full of praise for the attitude the World Cup winner displayed to ensure his side's recent slump was halted.

'They deserve moments like this' - Sanchez reacts after Chelsea book final spot

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"The most impressive thing about him is that he's a fighter," McFarlane told TNT Sports. "You don't have to have the perfect game plan in those moments; he will run and compete and that is often the deciding factor."

Reflecting on his overall emotions, McFarlane continued: "Relief is the correct word. We were confident going into the game. We had a good three days, but you never know. We wanted to shift the momentum; our form hasn't been great.

"I did it [interim head coach] for a week before, so I kind of knew what I was stepping into. It's easier this time because I have a relationship with the players, and I've worked with them for three or four months now. I've been a part of the backroom staff, so I had a feel for what they needed psychologically. It's been intense.

"We wanted to be really clear about how we wanted to set up and play against Leeds. We knew they'd think we were vulnerable. We wanted to give Robert [Sanchez] the option to go direct because we knew we were in a bit of a vulnerable place."

Chelsea have not beaten Man City since their Champions League final victory in 2021, failing to win in their 13 meetings in all competitions since.

On playing City in the FA Cup final, McFarlane added: "You can come up with a plan, but they're an exceptional side in really good form. It's going to be a massive challenge. We seem to raise our level, we saw that against PSG in the Club World Cup. It's more about the character."

Gerrard: Important McFarlane is just himself

Steven Gerrard was impressed by McFarlane's demeanour, with the scenes at the final whistle indicating his popularity among the playing staff.

Club captain Reece James was seen pushing the interim head coach forward in front of the jubilant supporters as a tough week ended on the most positive of notes.

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Looking ahead to how Chelsea could overcome the odds to defeat Pep Guardiola's side, Gerrard told TNT Sports: "Not many teams have success against Manchester City, especially under Pep, but in the magic of an FA Cup final, anything can happen.

"There could be a red card, games can twist and turn. But this Chelsea team and this performance that I've just seen today has got a much better chance than the one I've watched for the majority of the season.

"I was really impressed by Callum's interview. He was really calm, really normal, and it's important that he's just himself.

"Be yourself, don't change. He doesn't have to try and be someone that he's not. Take each day as it comes, and he's given the Chelsea fans and their players something to really look forward to in a couple of weeks.

"There's a lot more positivity and brightness about how the season could finish. Just worry about the next game."

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The Emirates FA Cup