Central to all of it was match-winner Fernandez, the sport’s excellent performer. The Argentine’s first half-header, planted firmly previous Lucas Perri after 23 minutes, turning out to be the decisive second.
It ended a run of 498 minutes with no Chelsea aim in opposition to Premier League golf equipment in all competitions. Victory was secured with their first clear sheet in opposition to top-flight opposition since 17 January.
This was the identical Fernandez not too long ago given a two-match suspension by Chelsea after Rosenior stated he had “crossed a line” following their Champions League exit in opposition to Paris St-Germain by giving an interview hinting at a departure.
The belief was that he was fluttering his eyelashes at Actual Madrid.
At Wembley, what must be regular service for the World Cup winner was resumed. Fernandez was the inspiration behind Chelsea‘s win, not simply together with his aim however all-round effort.
He took his aim tally this season to 13. The one midfielder to attain extra for a Premier League membership in 2025-26 is Nottingham Forest‘s Morgan Gibbs-White with 16.
Former England goalkeeper Rob Inexperienced, who had a spell at Stamford Bridge in the direction of the tip of his profession, mirrored on how the Wembley shows of Chelsea and Fernandez contrasted sharply with these produced in Rosenior’s remaining days.
“They are a product of the system they’re in and in modern-day soccer,” Inexperienced stated on BBC Radio 5 Dwell.
“It is ugly however they’ve all the ability and it was epitomised by Fernandez. He ran the sport. It was all the way down to him how they performed. That isn’t wholesome for a soccer membership however for Chelsea it will get them to finals.
“Give a participant an inch, they take a mile.
“Chelsea do what Chelsea do. That they had one huge second within the recreation, Leeds had three or 4, however did not take them and that was the distinction.”
And what a distinction a brand new face within the technical space makes – particularly amid the dysfunction and turbulence that characterises Chelsea.