PLAYER RATINGS: Nicolas Jackson scores just 4/10 after missing huge chances for Chelsea – but which Man City star was the unlikely hero in FA Cup semi-final win?

Holders Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 with a late Bernardo Silva goal on Saturday to reach the FA Cup final.

Silva sidefooted the ball home in the 84th minute after Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic parried a shot from former Blues midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

Both keepers were busy with De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish missing chances for City, while Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke had efforts saved by Stefan Ortega, smothered by the City defence or lost to wayward shots. 

City will meet Manchester United or Coventry City, who play on Sunday, in the final on May 25. 

Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill and Jack Gaughan rated the players. 

MAN CITY (4-1-4-1)

Stefan Ortega – 8

Completed a collection of huge saves either side of the break. Enjoying a very encouraging season and was an unlikely hero.

Kyle Walker – 6

Settled into the game after an erratic start. Yet still did make decisions that could have hurt City.

John Stones – 6

Interestingly wasn’t asked to act as the hybrid midfielder. Fortunate after Nicolas Jackson caught him out.

Manuel Akanji – 6.5

The Swiss never lets Pep Guardiola down. Progressed possession nicely and formidable in the duels.

Nathan Ake – 7

Solid at left back on his comeback. Good battle with Noni Madueke and a few timely tackles when Chelsea broke.

John Stones (right) was not used as a hybrid midfielder at Wembley on Saturday

Rodri – 6

Leggy at the base of midfield – even though he had last weekend off. Improved massively in the second half.

Bernardo Silva – 7

Didn’t appear himself, perhaps a hangover from the missed penalty. And then popped up with the winner.

Kevin De Bruyne – 6

Looked exceptionally tired from the off. Simple passes regularly going awry until a drive to the byline helped Silva win the tie.

Phil Foden – 6

Forever threatening, taking up little pockets. All over the park but not enough time spent in Chelsea’s box.

Jack Grealish – 7

Probably City’s best before he was forced off. Drove at his man well, picked the right pass. A big positive.

Julian Alvarez – 5

Lively without truly affecting proceedings. That role only really works with willing runners from midfield.

City substitute Jeremy Doku caused problems for the Chelsea defenders late on

Subs

Ruben Dias (for Stones, 46) – 6. Jeremy Doku (for Grealish, 65) – 7, Oscar Bobb (for Alvarez, 88)

Chelsea (4-2-3-1)

Djordje Petrovic – 6.5

Forced Phil Foden wider than he would have liked, which ultimately stopped him from scoring. Unfortunate that he inadvertently helped the ball land at Bernardo Silva’s feet for his winner.

Malo Gusto – 6

Riskily went to ground on Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, neither taking the chance to try to buy a penalty thankfully before he was substituted after an exhausting tussle.

Thiago Silva – 6.5

It did not take long for Chelsea fans to start singing the 39-year-old’s name. Silva brought the experience to the back line but it was not enough.

Trevoh Chalobah – 6

One of several Chelsea defenders fooled by Kevin De Bruyne’s ball in behind for Phil Foden but showed his defensive nous overall until the back line was finally breached.

Marc Cucurella – 5.5

Cucurella had performed well, including a superb goal-line clearance in the first half, but ultimately, Bernardo Silva was his man and he scored the winner at the back post.

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer is crowded out by Nathan Ake, Rodri and Ruben Dias

Moises Caicedo – 5

Already on a yellow when Jack Grealish claimed Caicedo stuck his studs into him during a crunching challenge, which then saw the England midfielder substituted in pain.

Enzo Fernandez – 5.5

Returned to the team after recovering from his injury but not the greatest of games from a midfield partnership that cost £220million to assemble.

Noni Madueke – 5.5

The Everton penalty fiasco did not cost him his place in the line-up. Gets himself into good positions but end product needs work if he wants to keep starting.

Cole Palmer – 6.5

Booed by City’s fans and cheered by Chelsea’s, who feared the worst when he was hobbling early on. Constantly created chances for Nicolas Jackson but with no reward.

Cole Palmer looks sharp but was unable to make a telling contribution in the end

Conor Gallagher – 6

Chelsea’s pressing machine started on the left, where he took a foot full of studs from Kyle Walker. All eyes on a summer in which he could now be sold.

Nicolas Jackson – 4

When assessing how and why Chelsea did not win, the focus will turn to the plethora of chances missed by their striker. What could have been.

Chelsea were left to rue several misses by striker Nicolas Jackson in the Cup semi-final

SUBS

Mykhailo Mudryk (for Madueke, 79) – 6, Axel Disasi (for Gusto, 79) – 6, Raheem Sterling (for Fernandez, 88), Ben Chilwell (for Cucurella, 88)

SUBS (NOT USED)

Marcus Bettinelli, Benoit Badiashile, Carney Chukwuemeka, Deivid Washington, Alfie Gilchrist

MANAGER

Mauricio Pochettino 5

Beaten by Liverpool’s kids in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley and lost to a tired Manchester City team here. In all likelihood, Chelsea will not secure European football this season.