Manchester City were not at their best against Chelsea but showed the heart and resolve that has made them serial winners
Manchester City were on their knees from the beginning of this semi-final against Chelsea yet rose to the occasion yet again to keep their hopes of a domestic Double alive. Every push through the pain, every bit of lactic acid and every bit of defensive resolve proved worth it in the end as Bernardo Silva scored a late goal to book City's place in their second final in as many years.
It's not that Guardiola doesn't listen to his medical team, but he does not want tiredness used as an excuse by any of his players. There were plenty of fans who would have made more changes from the Real Madrid game in order to concentrate on having the best XI as fit as possible for the Premier League match at Brighton on Thursday, yet that is not the Guardiola way.
John Stones, normally a master of time and space, played Jackson onside on the half-hour mark but was relieved that Stefan Ortega and Walker played to the whistle because no flag came when the move fizzled out. Guardiola fretted on the sidelines, often reduced to watching on his knees as Chelsea surged though the City half.
Guardiola was delighted last year that City had finally broken their run of losing three FA Cup semi-finals played immediately after Champions League quarter-finals, yet how much of that came down to the quality of Riyad Mahrez and the fact they played Championship opposition in Sheffield United? The FA Cup holders weren't quite on the canvas but they were swaying in a first half that saw them record no shots on target for the first time in more than two months.
Team spirit was, though, however frayed engines looked to be. De Bruyne is usually happy to let his teammates know exactly what he thinks and seemed set to give Rodri both barrels after an errant pass in front of him, only to then check himself and applaud instead; City knew that they weren't going to improve their chances by bickering.
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