Interim Chelsea boss Calum McFarlane entered the FA Cup final with a clear plan after rescuing a point at Wembley against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City earlier this season. His side turned a 1‑0 deficit into a 1‑1 draw, thanks to a stoppage‑time strike from Enzo Fernández. McFarlane believes the same tactical tweaks can overturn City’s dominance on Saturday and confidence today.

McFarlane’s halftime adjustments included pushing Andrey Santos deeper, freeing Fernández to operate higher up the pitch, and shifting Cole Palmer to the right wing while swapping full‑backs Josh Acheampong and Malo Gusto. Gusto’s forward run produced the cross that set up the equaliser, showcasing the aggressive shape McFarlane praised. Those changes gave Chelsea the territorial edge they lacked in the first half.

Both clubs face European qualification pressure; Chelsea sit on a single point from seven league games and may miss Europe without a cup win, while City remain favourites according to Julien Laurens. Defender Reece James and centre‑back Levi Colwill, fresh from injury, are in contention, adding depth ahead of a match that could decide the Blues’ season.