{"id":325151,"date":"2026-04-27T07:06:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T01:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=325151"},"modified":"2026-04-27T07:06:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T01:36:22","slug":"joe-cole-showers-chelsea-warrior-with-praise-after-fa-cup-semi-final-win-over-leeds-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/27\/joe-cole-showers-chelsea-warrior-with-praise-after-fa-cup-semi-final-win-over-leeds-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Cole showers Chelsea ‘warrior’ with praise after FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Chelsea hero Joe Cole was impressed by Enzo Fernandez\u2019s showing (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Joe Cole heaped praise on Enzo Fernandez following Chelsea\u2019s FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds, labelling the midfielder a \u2018fighter\u2019 and a \u2018warrior\u2019 after an \u2018outstanding\u2019 match-winning display at Wembley.<\/p>\n

Fernandez made the breakthrough for Chelsea within the twenty third minute, heading home Pedro Neto\u2019s cross after a dominant start from the Blues. <\/p>\n

Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin each squandered golden opportunities to level for Leeds within the second period, with Robert Sanchez standing strong after a troublesome campaign for the error-prone goalkeeper.<\/p>\n

While there have been some nervous moments for Chelsea within the closing stages, the eight-time FA Cup winners held firm to secure their place in the ultimate of the competition for the seventeenth time of their history.<\/p>\n

Calum McFarlane, who took over the reins from Liam Rosenior on an interim basis after Chelsea\u2019s league defeat to Brighton, will lead the club into this yr\u2019s final against Manchester City on May 16.<\/p>\n

Fernandez had received his fair proportion of criticism heading into Sunday\u2019s semi-final on the back of some controversial remarks he made within the media, through which he questioned the choice to dismiss Rosenior\u2019s predecessor Enzo Maresca.<\/p>\n

However the Argentina international, Chelsea\u2019s all-time record signing, did his talking on the pitch at Wembley \u2013 and Cole was filled with praise shortly after the ultimate whistle.<\/p>\n

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Fernandez scored the one goal of the sport at Wembley (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Argentine headed home Neto\u2019s cross to interrupt the deadlock (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Giving his immediate response to the win on TNT Sports\u2019 commentary, Cole also made sure to spotlight the impressive performances of Sanchez and centre-back duo Trevor Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo.<\/p>\n

\u2018That\u2019s what the fans need to see, they need to see fight and that little spark that was in there,\u2019 Cole, who two FA Cups with Chelsea, said.<\/p>\n

\u2018I assumed the midfield was excellent they usually dominated possession. They played like a team filled with confidence and that takes loads once you\u2019ve had a low spell. <\/p>\n

\u2018Listen, it\u2019s one other cup final for the club and whatever happens with this football club during the last 20 years, you could have to maintain attending to finals, you could have to maintain winning.<\/p>\n

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McFarlane will steer the Blues into this yr\u2019s final on May 16 (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018It\u2019s right down to those players they usually stood up today. You give them credit, I assumed Robert Sanchez was outstanding in goal.<\/p>\n

\u2018Trevor Chalobah on the back with Tosin Adarabioyo, strong, resilient, handled Dominic Calvert-Lewin.<\/p>\n

\u2018That man [Enzo Fernandez] I assumed was outstanding. There have been a number of query marks on him together with his comments made, but when he steps onto the pitch he\u2019s a fighter and he\u2019s a warrior.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Sanchez was \u2018outstanding\u2019 for Chelsea, says Cole<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cole went on to applaud McFarlane for the work he had done in taking charge of a down-and-out squad in such difficult circumstances.<\/p>\n

\u2018That\u2019s what you wish and I\u2019m really pleased with this group of players since it\u2019s been a difficult week for them,\u2019 Cole added.<\/p>\n

\u2018Callum McFarlane as well, it\u2019s a meteoric rise, but you\u2019re Chelsea manager and also you\u2019ve taken them to the FA Cup final so big-up to him.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Who will win this yr’s FA Cup?<\/h3>\n