Manchester City have reached their second FA Cup final in three years after beating Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley.
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Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero put City 2-0 ahead, but Roberto Mancini's men were forced to endure a nervy final 25 minutes after Demba Ba's volley halved the deficit.
Nasri broke the deadlock on 35 minutes, when Aguero's attempted pass deflected off Cesar Azpilicueta into the path of the Frenchman, who slotted home from eight yards.
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City's backline was rarely threatened in the first half, but captain Vincent Kompany was required to head off the goalline on the half-hour mark.
Juan Mata's free kick was headed clear by Matija Nastasic as far as Eden Hazard, whose volley slammed into the ground and looped over the head of goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon before Kompany intervened to save his side.
City continued their dominance after the break and Aguero doubled his side's advantage with a looping header following Gareth Barry's clipped cross.
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Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez threw Fernando Torres into the action on 66 minutes and within seconds of his introduction strike partner Ba had put the ball in the net.
Ba latched onto David Luiz's lofted through-ball and beat Pantilimon with a stylish bicycle kick.
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That goal sparked a big response from Chelsea. Pantilimon, who has yet to make a Premier League appearance for City, had to make two outstanding saves to keep his side ahead.
The Romanian goalkeeper took the ball right off the toes of Mata before making a point-blank block to deny Ba.
Aguero was fortunate to finish the game after referee Chris Foy failed to spot his ugly-looking stamp on Luiz.
Robert Summerscales
