LONDON — Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane praised his players' "character" after they responded to Liam Rosenior's sacking by beating Leeds 1-0 in the FA Cup semifinals on Sunday.

Following Rosenior's exit on Wednesday after just three months in charge, McFarlane took over with Chelsea in turmoil.

The Blues have lost their last five Premier League games without scoring in their worst run since 1912.

That dismal sequence cost Rosenior his job and effectively ruined Chelsea's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

Rosenior's difficult relationship with Chelsea's stars was key to his downfall, but McFarlane, who was part of Rosenior's backroom staff, was able to coax a more positive performance from them at Wembley.

"We had to weather a storm and show a bit of character and grit while they threw everything at us. Probably, the team's character was the most pleasing part," McFarlane said afterward.

"I think those lads showed how much they want to win, and what they were willing to do to win a really important football game for the club."

Chelsea is back in the FA Cup final for the first time since 2022, as it looks to win the competition for the first time since 2018.

It will face Manchester City in the decider on May 16, and McFarlane knows victory over Pep Guardiola's men would partially salvage Chelsea's troubled campaign.

"Relief is the correct word. We were confident going into the game. We had a good three days, but you never know. We wanted to shift the momentum; our form hasn't been great," he said.

"We knew Leeds would think we were vulnerable. We knew we were in a bit of a vulnerable place.

"Then we started to take control of the game. Robert Sanchez's saves were massive for us. We haven't kept enough clean sheets recently."

'It's been intense'

Enzo Fernandez headed in Chelsea's 23rd-minute winner in an ironic twist after his turbulent relationship with Rosenior, who dropped the Argentine for two games following his claim that he was considering leaving at the end of the season.

Fernandez was back to his best against Leeds and McFarlane said:"The most impressive thing about him is that he's a fighter.

"You don't have to have the perfect game plan in those moments; he will run and compete, and that is often the deciding factor."

McFarlane started this season as coach of Chelsea's Under-21s, but he is now in his second spell as interim boss after briefly taking over following Enzo Maresca's exit prior to Rosenior's arrival.

"I did it for a week before, so I kind of knew what I was stepping into. It's easier this time, because I have a relationship with the players and I've worked with them for three or four months now," he said.

"I've been a part of the backroom staff, so I had a feel for what they needed psychologically. It's been intense."

McFarlane's lack of managerial experience will make him the underdog when he faces Guardiola.

But, he has already successfully pitted his wits against the City boss this season, when Chelsea earned a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League in January.

"You can come with a plan, but they're an exceptional side in really good form. It's going to be a massive challenge," McFarlane said.

"We seem to raise our level, we saw that against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup. It's all about the character."

AFP