×
Crowd-puller Nick Kyrgios confirms Halle Open participation  Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, who has not played ​a competitive singles match since January, will ‌take part in this year’s Halle ​grasscourt tournament in June, ⁠organisers said on Monday.The 30-year-old, who has struggled for years with a series of wrist ‌and knee injuries, is a major crowd-puller but does not ‌have a singles ranking at the ‌moment. ⁠The Halle tournament is a ⁠traditional warm-up event for Wimbledon.The Australian’s only singles match of the year was a straight-sets first-round ‌loss to American Aleksandar Kovacevic in Brisbane in January.Kyrgios, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, has played just ‌seven singles matches between January ​2023 and April 2026.ALSO READ | Rybakina beats Muchova to win Stuttgart Open 2026“Nick Kyrgios has been one of the most ⁠dazzling personalities in world tennis for years,” Halle tournament organisers said in ‌a statement.“The Australian is known for his exceptional playing style, characterised by one of the best serves on the tour, spectacular winners, and great creativity. At the same time, his emotional personality ‌and charisma attract considerable attention far beyond ​the sport,” they added.Kyrgios had said earlier this year he would compete in ⁠several grasscourt events, skipping the clay season ⁠that precedes them. The Halle tournament will be held from June ‌13 to 21.Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year, starts ​on June 29.Published on Apr 20, 2026  #Crowdpuller #Nick #Kyrgios #confirms #Halle #Open #participation

Crowd-puller Nick Kyrgios confirms Halle Open participation

Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, who has not played ​a competitive singles match since January, will ‌take part in this year’s Halle ​grasscourt tournament in June, ⁠organisers said on Monday.

The 30-year-old, who has struggled for years with a series of wrist ‌and knee injuries, is a major crowd-puller but does not ‌have a singles ranking at the ‌moment. ⁠The Halle tournament is a ⁠traditional warm-up event for Wimbledon.

The Australian’s only singles match of the year was a straight-sets first-round ‌loss to American Aleksandar Kovacevic in Brisbane in January.

Kyrgios, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, has played just ‌seven singles matches between January ​2023 and April 2026.

ALSO READ | Rybakina beats Muchova to win Stuttgart Open 2026

“Nick Kyrgios has been one of the most ⁠dazzling personalities in world tennis for years,” Halle tournament organisers said in ‌a statement.

“The Australian is known for his exceptional playing style, characterised by one of the best serves on the tour, spectacular winners, and great creativity. At the same time, his emotional personality ‌and charisma attract considerable attention far beyond ​the sport,” they added.

Kyrgios had said earlier this year he would compete in ⁠several grasscourt events, skipping the clay season ⁠that precedes them. The Halle tournament will be held from June ‌13 to 21.

Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year, starts ​on June 29.

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Crowdpuller #Nick #Kyrgios #confirms #Halle #Open #participation

Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, who has not played ​a competitive singles match since January, will ‌take part in this year’s Halle ​grasscourt tournament in June, ⁠organisers said on Monday.

The 30-year-old, who has struggled for years with a series of wrist ‌and knee injuries, is a major crowd-puller but does not ‌have a singles ranking at the ‌moment. ⁠The Halle tournament is a ⁠traditional warm-up event for Wimbledon.

The Australian’s only singles match of the year was a straight-sets first-round ‌loss to American Aleksandar Kovacevic in Brisbane in January.

Kyrgios, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, has played just ‌seven singles matches between January ​2023 and April 2026.

ALSO READ | Rybakina beats Muchova to win Stuttgart Open 2026

“Nick Kyrgios has been one of the most ⁠dazzling personalities in world tennis for years,” Halle tournament organisers said in ‌a statement.

“The Australian is known for his exceptional playing style, characterised by one of the best serves on the tour, spectacular winners, and great creativity. At the same time, his emotional personality ‌and charisma attract considerable attention far beyond ​the sport,” they added.

Kyrgios had said earlier this year he would compete in ⁠several grasscourt events, skipping the clay season ⁠that precedes them. The Halle tournament will be held from June ‌13 to 21.

Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year, starts ​on June 29.

Published on Apr 20, 2026

Source link
#Crowdpuller #Nick #Kyrgios #confirms #Halle #Open #participation

Previous post

Deadspin | Jon Rahm leaves field in dust, wins LIV Golf Mexico City <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28692746.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28692746.jpg" alt="PGA: Masters Tournament - First Round" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Jon Rahm tees off on the fifth hole during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Jon Rahm saved his best round of the week for last, firing a 7-under-par 64 Sunday to pull away to win the LIV Golf Mexico City title on Sunday in Naucalpan, Mexico.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Rahm, the tournament’s leader since the second round, finished the week at Club de Golf Chapultepec at 21-under 263, six shots ahead of fellow Spaniard David Puig (66). It was an all-Spanish top three, as Josele Ballester (67) placed third at 14 under.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The two-time major winner continued his streak of six straight top-fives to begin the LIV season, including wins in Hong Kong and Mexico City and three second-place finishes.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>“I think a little bit of it is disbelief,” Rahm said. “I’ve performed poorly down the stretch on this course having a chance to win before, so it’s almost like I don’t let myself believe it. If you would have told me last week on Thursday afternoon that I’d be winning by a six-shot margin this week, I would not have believed you because of how bad I played. Hell of an effort, and just what a Sunday.”</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Rahm led by two strokes after 54 holes and made sure he was in the driver’s seat early Sunday, going 5 under on a four-hole stretch. Following his first birdie at No. 2, his powerful drive at the 390-yard, par-4 third hole came to rest about 3 feet from the cup for a tap-in eagle.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>He made a 13-footer for birdie at the par-3 fourth hole and a 20-footer at the par-4 fifth.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>No one would catch him from there. Rahm finished his round with 11 pars and two back-nine birdies.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>“You need a lot of fight because even today on the scorecard it might look smooth,” Rahm said, “but the three-putt on 7, had to make a nice 4-footer on 8, the par on 9, the par on 10, that stretch right there could have been very complicated.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>“It’s true from then on I played very well and never really stressed, but the that was the key moment of the round.”</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>It also marked the first time this season that Rahm’s individual success led to a first-place finish for his team, Legion XIII. Rahm’s team won this event for the third consecutive year.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Legion XIII finished 45 under for the week, as two of Rahm’s teammates, Englishman Tyrrell Hatton and Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, were part of a five-way tie for fifth at 11 under. The fourth team member, Caleb Surratt, was 2 under for the week. Collectively, they finished nine shots better than Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Puig powered the Fireballs’ score this week, carding four birdies and an eagle on his first 10 holes Sunday before petering out as he shot 5-under 66.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“We’re youngsters, but we really are feeling like we really want to win,” Puig said of his teammates and countrymen, Ballester and Luis Masaveu. “We put a lot of hours behind it, and it’s just kind of great to see that it definitely paid off this week.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“But yeah, I didn’t really feel at my best (this week). Today was by far the best day, how I hit it.”</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Bryson DeChambeau, who was 2 over par through three rounds, withdrew before the start of the final round citing a wrist injury.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Jon #Rahm #leaves #field #dust #wins #LIV #Golf #Mexico #City

Next post

Deadspin | Stars aren’t panicking after Wild’s hot start to playoff series <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28763025.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28763025.jpg" alt="NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 18, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) celebrates center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) in the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>After a blowout loss to open the playoffs, the Dallas Stars have chosen calm over crisis.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Another poor showing could change things in a hurry.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Dallas will look to even its best-of-seven series against visiting Minnesota at one victory apiece when the teams face off Monday night in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. The Wild grabbed a 1-0 series lead after cruising to a 6-1 win on Saturday.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Stars coach Glen Gulutzan rewatched the game before practice Sunday. He said the team’s breakdowns had more to do with execution than effort level.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“We have looked a little bit offensively at how we can create a little bit more, but we just didn’t execute in a lot of areas, starting right from breakouts to through the neutral zone,” Gulutzan said. “And when we did get out clean, we didn’t make the next play. …</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“We weren’t connected. We didn’t stack any good plays upon good plays on each other at all. That was the thing. We had some opportunity at times to do that, and we never executed. Every part of our game needs to be a little bit better on Monday.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Gulutzan quickly squashed any notion that he would make a goaltending change in Game 2. Starter Jake Oettinger allowed five goals on 28 shots in the series opener, but Gulutzan expressed full confidence in him and said there was no point in overreacting.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Again, Gulutzan said the film showed no reason to panic.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>“I didn’t see anything there (suggesting to replace Oettinger),” Gulutzan said. “I saw more of a team play thing that we can all be a little bit better from every guy. There are some nights any team in the league can look at their goalie and go, ‘Oh man, that was a goalie (loss).’ But (Game 1) wasn’t one of them. …</p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>“We don’t want to mix and match too much. We lost Game 1, we’ve got to bounce back. Like I keep saying, there weren’t any guys at the top of their game (Saturday). I fully expect this group to be better (Monday).”</p> </section> <section id="section-11"> <p>Meanwhile, Minnesota knows it has a chance to seize a 2-0 lead on the road. Everything worked well for the Wild in Game 1, including a stellar performance from goaltender Jesper Wallstedt in his playoff debut.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Wallstedt said he enjoyed playing in the spotlight. Look for him to get the call again in Game 2 ahead of veteran teammate Filip Gustavsson, who started the majority of the team’s games in the regular season.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“This is the same game I’ve played since I was 6,” Wallstedt said. “There’s nothing different to it.”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>It also helps a goaltender when his offense scores a half-dozen goals to support him.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek will aim to stay hot in Game 2 after scoring two goals apiece in the series opener. Kirill Kaprizov added a goal and two assists, and Mats Zuccarello picked up three assists.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>But Zuccarello offered a similar perspective as his opponents’ coach entering Monday.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Keep calm. Do not overreact to a single game.</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>“Every game lives its own life,” Zuccarello said. “It’s always nice to get a win, start off positive, but just stay even-keel and try to focus on the next one.”</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Stars #arent #panicking #Wilds #hot #start #playoff #series

Deadspin | Report: Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards out ‘multiple weeks’  Apr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA;  Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) works around Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images   Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards will miss “multiple weeks” due to a left knee injury suffered Saturday night in his team’s 112-96 playoff win against the Denver Nuggets.  Per ESPN, Edwards was diagnosed with a bone bruise and hyperextension of the knee on Sunday. Testing did not reveal any ligament damage, and he is scheduled to begin rehab immediately.  The Timberwolves, the No. 6 seed, have a 3-1 lead over the No. 3 Nuggets. The best-of-seven series resumes Monday night in Denver.  Minnesota does not have an easy task closing out this series, however.  Donte DiVincenzo, Edwards’ backcourt mate, suffered a non-contact injury to his right leg 79 seconds into the game. ESPN reported Saturday night that DiVincenzo, who left the arena at halftime in a wheelchair, tore his right Achilles. That injury will put him out for several months.  In the absence of Edwards and DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench Saturday night to score 43 points with this line: 13-of-17 shooting, 5-for-5 from 3-point range and 12-for-12 from the foul line.  According to OptaSTATS, Dosunmu became the first player in NBA history to score at least 40 points, shoot at least 75% from the field, hit at least five 3-point attempts without a miss and convert at least 10 free-throw attempts without a miss.   “This is for Ant. This is for Donte,” Dosunmu told Timberwolves social media after the game. “I hope for a speedy recovery for them.”  After being acquired at the trade deadline from the Chicago Bulls, Dosunmu appeared in 24 regular-season games for Minnesota and averaged 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. During this playoff series, he has delivered a team-high 22.8 points per game while shooting 64% from the field.  During the regular season, Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28.8 points per game and hit 39.9% of his shots from 3-point range over 61 games.  DiVincenzo started all 82 games and posted averages of 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists.  Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said postgame that Minnesota can withstand the loss of its starting backcourt.  “We’ve got more than enough talent in here to win,” Randle said. “We lost two guys who are big pieces to our team but we talked about it all year, you need depth in the playoffs to win.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Report #Minnesotas #Anthony #Edwards #multiple #weeksApr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) works around Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards will miss “multiple weeks” due to a left knee injury suffered Saturday night in his team’s 112-96 playoff win against the Denver Nuggets.

Per ESPN, Edwards was diagnosed with a bone bruise and hyperextension of the knee on Sunday. Testing did not reveal any ligament damage, and he is scheduled to begin rehab immediately.

The Timberwolves, the No. 6 seed, have a 3-1 lead over the No. 3 Nuggets. The best-of-seven series resumes Monday night in Denver.

Minnesota does not have an easy task closing out this series, however.

Donte DiVincenzo, Edwards’ backcourt mate, suffered a non-contact injury to his right leg 79 seconds into the game. ESPN reported Saturday night that DiVincenzo, who left the arena at halftime in a wheelchair, tore his right Achilles. That injury will put him out for several months.

In the absence of Edwards and DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench Saturday night to score 43 points with this line: 13-of-17 shooting, 5-for-5 from 3-point range and 12-for-12 from the foul line.


According to OptaSTATS, Dosunmu became the first player in NBA history to score at least 40 points, shoot at least 75% from the field, hit at least five 3-point attempts without a miss and convert at least 10 free-throw attempts without a miss.

“This is for Ant. This is for Donte,” Dosunmu told Timberwolves social media after the game. “I hope for a speedy recovery for them.”

After being acquired at the trade deadline from the Chicago Bulls, Dosunmu appeared in 24 regular-season games for Minnesota and averaged 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. During this playoff series, he has delivered a team-high 22.8 points per game while shooting 64% from the field.

During the regular season, Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28.8 points per game and hit 39.9% of his shots from 3-point range over 61 games.

DiVincenzo started all 82 games and posted averages of 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said postgame that Minnesota can withstand the loss of its starting backcourt.

“We’ve got more than enough talent in here to win,” Randle said. “We lost two guys who are big pieces to our team but we talked about it all year, you need depth in the playoffs to win.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Report #Minnesotas #Anthony #Edwards #multiple #weeks">Deadspin | Report: Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards out ‘multiple weeks’  Apr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA;  Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) works around Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images   Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards will miss “multiple weeks” due to a left knee injury suffered Saturday night in his team’s 112-96 playoff win against the Denver Nuggets.  Per ESPN, Edwards was diagnosed with a bone bruise and hyperextension of the knee on Sunday. Testing did not reveal any ligament damage, and he is scheduled to begin rehab immediately.  The Timberwolves, the No. 6 seed, have a 3-1 lead over the No. 3 Nuggets. The best-of-seven series resumes Monday night in Denver.  Minnesota does not have an easy task closing out this series, however.  Donte DiVincenzo, Edwards’ backcourt mate, suffered a non-contact injury to his right leg 79 seconds into the game. ESPN reported Saturday night that DiVincenzo, who left the arena at halftime in a wheelchair, tore his right Achilles. That injury will put him out for several months.  In the absence of Edwards and DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench Saturday night to score 43 points with this line: 13-of-17 shooting, 5-for-5 from 3-point range and 12-for-12 from the foul line.  According to OptaSTATS, Dosunmu became the first player in NBA history to score at least 40 points, shoot at least 75% from the field, hit at least five 3-point attempts without a miss and convert at least 10 free-throw attempts without a miss.   “This is for Ant. This is for Donte,” Dosunmu told Timberwolves social media after the game. “I hope for a speedy recovery for them.”  After being acquired at the trade deadline from the Chicago Bulls, Dosunmu appeared in 24 regular-season games for Minnesota and averaged 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. During this playoff series, he has delivered a team-high 22.8 points per game while shooting 64% from the field.  During the regular season, Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28.8 points per game and hit 39.9% of his shots from 3-point range over 61 games.  DiVincenzo started all 82 games and posted averages of 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists.  Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said postgame that Minnesota can withstand the loss of its starting backcourt.  “We’ve got more than enough talent in here to win,” Randle said. “We lost two guys who are big pieces to our team but we talked about it all year, you need depth in the playoffs to win.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Report #Minnesotas #Anthony #Edwards #multiple #weeks

Chelsea’s season might be unravelling, but it will still include an appearance in the FA Cup final.

Enzo Fernandez’s 23rd-minute header secured Chelsea a 1-0 win over Leeds United in the semifinal on Sunday, setting up a meeting with Manchester City in the title clash on May 16.

Chelsea’s run in the FA Cup is salvaging a campaign that has veered off the rails after a humiliating exit from the Champions League, losing 8-2 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16, and five straight defeats in the Premier League. That run marked the team’s worst sequence of league results in 114 years and led to the midweek dismissal of manager Liam Rosenior.

Calum McFarlane, Rosenior’s little-known assistant, has taken charge of Chelsea until the end of the season and will now lead the side back out at Wembley Stadium next month in search of a ninth FA Cup title and a first since 2018.

Fernandez met Pedro Neto’s cross from the right with a firm header low into the net for the only goal. The Argentina midfielder had recently courted controversy by speaking publicly about wanting to live in Madrid, which earned him a two-match suspension by the club.

ALSO READ: Guardiola hails ‘extraordinary’ Man City reaction to make FA Cup history

Leeds, seeking to reach its first FA Cup final since 1973, piled on the pressure in the second half, and Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez notably produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Anton Stach’s piledriver.

City rallied to beat second-tier Southampton 2-1 on Saturday to advance to the final and stay on course for a domestic treble. Pep Guardiola’s side has already won the English League Cup and is battling with Arsenal for the Premier League title.

Chelsea most recently reached the final in 2022, when it lost to Liverpool on penalties.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#Chelsea #reaches #Cup #final #Fernandez #header #seals #win #Leeds #United">Chelsea reaches FA Cup final as Fernandez header seals win over Leeds United  Chelsea’s season might be unravelling, but it will still include an appearance in the FA Cup final.Enzo Fernandez’s 23rd-minute header secured Chelsea a 1-0 win over Leeds United in the semifinal on Sunday, setting up a meeting with Manchester City in the title clash on May 16.Chelsea’s run in the FA Cup is salvaging a campaign that has veered off the rails after a humiliating exit from the Champions League, losing 8-2 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16, and five straight defeats in the Premier League. That run marked the team’s worst sequence of league results in 114 years and led to the midweek dismissal of manager Liam Rosenior.Calum McFarlane, Rosenior’s little-known assistant, has taken charge of Chelsea until the end of the season and will now lead the side back out at Wembley Stadium next month in search of a ninth FA Cup title and a first since 2018.Fernandez met Pedro Neto’s cross from the right with a firm header low into the net for the only goal. The Argentina midfielder had recently courted controversy by speaking publicly about wanting to live in Madrid, which earned him a two-match suspension by the club.ALSO READ: Guardiola hails ‘extraordinary’ Man City reaction to make FA Cup historyLeeds, seeking to reach its first FA Cup final since 1973, piled on the pressure in the second half, and Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez notably produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Anton Stach’s piledriver.City rallied to beat second-tier Southampton 2-1 on Saturday to advance to the final and stay on course for a domestic treble. Pep Guardiola’s side has already won the English League Cup and is battling with Arsenal for the Premier League title.Chelsea most recently reached the final in 2022, when it lost to Liverpool on penalties.Published on Apr 26, 2026  #Chelsea #reaches #Cup #final #Fernandez #header #seals #win #Leeds #United

Guardiola hails ‘extraordinary’ Man City reaction to make FA Cup history

Leeds, seeking to reach its first FA Cup final since 1973, piled on the pressure in the second half, and Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez notably produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Anton Stach’s piledriver.

City rallied to beat second-tier Southampton 2-1 on Saturday to advance to the final and stay on course for a domestic treble. Pep Guardiola’s side has already won the English League Cup and is battling with Arsenal for the Premier League title.

Chelsea most recently reached the final in 2022, when it lost to Liverpool on penalties.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#Chelsea #reaches #Cup #final #Fernandez #header #seals #win #Leeds #United">Chelsea reaches FA Cup final as Fernandez header seals win over Leeds United

Chelsea’s season might be unravelling, but it will still include an appearance in the FA Cup final.

Enzo Fernandez’s 23rd-minute header secured Chelsea a 1-0 win over Leeds United in the semifinal on Sunday, setting up a meeting with Manchester City in the title clash on May 16.

Chelsea’s run in the FA Cup is salvaging a campaign that has veered off the rails after a humiliating exit from the Champions League, losing 8-2 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16, and five straight defeats in the Premier League. That run marked the team’s worst sequence of league results in 114 years and led to the midweek dismissal of manager Liam Rosenior.

Calum McFarlane, Rosenior’s little-known assistant, has taken charge of Chelsea until the end of the season and will now lead the side back out at Wembley Stadium next month in search of a ninth FA Cup title and a first since 2018.

Fernandez met Pedro Neto’s cross from the right with a firm header low into the net for the only goal. The Argentina midfielder had recently courted controversy by speaking publicly about wanting to live in Madrid, which earned him a two-match suspension by the club.

ALSO READ: Guardiola hails ‘extraordinary’ Man City reaction to make FA Cup history

Leeds, seeking to reach its first FA Cup final since 1973, piled on the pressure in the second half, and Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez notably produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Anton Stach’s piledriver.

City rallied to beat second-tier Southampton 2-1 on Saturday to advance to the final and stay on course for a domestic treble. Pep Guardiola’s side has already won the English League Cup and is battling with Arsenal for the Premier League title.

Chelsea most recently reached the final in 2022, when it lost to Liverpool on penalties.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#Chelsea #reaches #Cup #final #Fernandez #header #seals #win #Leeds #United

Post Comment