When Chelsea walked into Wembley, they carried a league record of six straight matches without a win in their pockets. The FA Cup offered them an escape route from reality, but standing at the end of that route was Manchester City.
All season long, Manchester City have been doing one thing: winning consistently. With 75 goals after 37 rounds, the attacking partnership of Foden and Marmoush has been polished to the precision of a Swiss watch. Their four-goal demolition of Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final said more than any statistic ever could about this team’s focus in knockout football.
Chelsea’s attacking problems are real. They have scored just two goals in their last five matches, and Palmer’s form has been up and down. Against Manchester City’s high press, Chelsea’s build-up from midfield forward will face far greater resistance than it does in the league. The absence of Dias and Gvardiol is a weakness for City, but their defensive depth is enough to mask that crack in a final.
On a final night at Wembley, Manchester City are clearly closer to the trophy.