Pep Guardiola described Manchester City’s resolve to secure a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup as one of the greatest things he’s seen by his group of players.

City reached the FA Cup final for a second successive season after Bernardo Silva’s late strike sealed a semi-final victory over Wembley. It was a tough game coming so closely after their difficult Champions League exit in a penalty shootout to Real Madrid on Wednesday.

But Guardiola was proud of his players at their ability to pick themselves up so quickly to claim a huge victory. “The game was tight,” the City boss said. “Chelsea had incredible transitions and controlled the ball well.

“We lost some easy balls because we were tired. Players made an incredible effort. What they have done today was one of the greatest things I have seen in a group of players [after] 120 minutes against Madrid, [with their] physicality and the emotion.

“The day after recovery then yesterday, we just say ‘hi’ and you can’t prepare anything.”