Manchester City advanced to the FA Cup final after an absorbing 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Wembley.
After wasting a pair of excellent opportunities at the end of the first half, City had one foot in the final just minutes after the break with Sergio Aguero's smart header from Gareth Barry's cross.
The goal didn't see City sit back and their dominance continued with Chelsea struggling for ideas and a way back into the contest, yet a hopeful ball over the top of the City saw defence saw Demba Ba turn smartly and hit past Costel Pantilimon. Chelsea were back in the game and Rafa Benitez had dispensed with caution, withdrawing John Obi Mikel in favour of Fernando Torres. Their tails were up and they almost pulled level on 70 minutes, Demba Ba forcing Pantilimon into a brave save low down.
Chelsea sensed their opportunity and City retreated back hoping to soak up the pressure. Roberto Mancini responded too the goal by taking off Carlos Tevez, who had worked manfully, bringing on Javi Garcia to shore up the midfield. Chelsea were profiting when direct, the presence of both Ba and Torres unsettling the City defence.
The game became an absorbing encounter and the latter stages saw an edge to the game too with Sergio Aguero fortunate the referee did not spot what appeared to be a stamp on David Luiz, but for all that Chelsea threw forward in the final minutes they couldn't find a way through and it is City who move on to the face Wigan in the final.