Man City vs Chelsea – LIVE: Erling Haaland left out of his side’s squad for FA Cup semi-final at Wembley as Pep Guardiola makes four changes… plus updates from the Premier League

There’s no denying it’s been a troublesome season for Jack Grealish, especially as he was so crucial for Pep Guardiola during City’s Treble-winning 2022-23 campaign.

Grealish, who starred for City against Real Madrid in midweek, is now back in the starting lineup and will hope to have a major influence on his side’s domestic double prospects.

The England international opened up on his ‘difficult’ season and urged he is still ‘playing with confidence’ ahead of the run-in.

Second-half subsitute Johann Gudmundsson makes it a perfect afternoon as far as Burnley are concerned – his strike not only puts the Clarets two points off Luton, but three off that all-important 17th spot.

Surely that’s Sheffield United dead and buried in the relegation battle.

Keane Lewis-Potter gets his goal for Brentford after an excellent afternoon for him personally at Kenilworth Road. He’s been superb for the Bees and typified their high energy performance!

A hugely disapppointing day for the Hatters’ survival hopes.

That’s surely that at Kenilworth Road. Ethan Pinnock fires Brentford 3-0 ahead, converting Serge Reguilon’s cross into the back of the net with an excellent header.

Minutes after getting back into the game, Sheffield United find themselves two goals down again. And it’s more shoddy defending as far as the Blades are concerned.

Lorenz Assignon whips a ball in towards Lyle Foster, who takes the opportunity well to give Burnley a huge boost in the relagtion battle.

No Erling Haaland for Pep Guardiola to call upon today, as Julian Alvarez is trusted to lead the line for Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah keeps his place alongside Thiago Silva at the heart of defence, with Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson called upon again after their penalty-taking quarrel on Monday.

The Blades have clawed one back! Excellent build-up play from Sheffield United and they find Gustavo Hamer on the flank, who chops inside and fires into the back of the net with a superb finish.

Reports coming in that Erling Haaland has not travelled with the Man City squad to Wembley after coming off early against Real Madrid in midweek.

What a major boost for Chelsea this afternoon.

Palmer didn’t take long to get out on to the Wembley pitch after arriving…

It’s half-time at both Kenilworth Road and Bramall Lane. Both away sides lead at the break.

Sheffield United 0-2 Burnley

Luton 0-2 Brentford

It’s not going to plan for the Hatters. Brentford have simply been too good today, and Yoane Wissa gets his second of the afternoon to fire Thomas Frank’s side 2-0 ahead.

A real poacher’s finish inside the six-yard box, as he reacts quicker than all the Luton defenders in the penalty area.

Not long now until our attention turns to the FA Cup semi-final.

Manchester City have arrived at the stadium and look focused on the task at hand.

They’ve scored AGAIN! And it’s shocking defending as far as the Blades are concerned. Sheffield United have arguably been the better side in terms of possession but their woeful defending comes back to bite them once again.

Lorenz Assignon is the man who gets it – breaking past Ben Brereton Diaz before firing his effort beyond Grbic to make it 2-0.

Could that be the goal that kickstarts Burnley’s great escape? Jacob Bruun Larsen trickles an effort on goal – which admitted Ivo Grbic has to do better with – but the Clarets won’t care one bit.

Vincent Kompany’s side are ahead and just two points behind Luton, as things stand.

Luton are living dangerously here! Yoane Wissa looked to fire the Bees 2-0 up with a curled effort, but Teden Mengi just manages to hook the ball off the line.

All Brentford at the moment…

Mail Sport’s DOMINIC HOGAN with an update on the first half an hour at Kenilworth Road.

Luton have posed threats of their own, but Brentford have been the better side in this very entertaining first half, and Yoane Wissa’s opener is a just reward for their work. Thomas Kaminski had already been called into action before the goal and the Hatters failed to heed their warnings, with the Bees forward punishing them on the counter to take a well deserved lead. It’s taken the wind out of the fans’ sails for sure, but they can take confidence in the fact their side have had opportunities of their own – they just need to make them pay.

Yoane Wissa fires the Bees ahead with his ninth goal of the season!

Despite thrashing Everton 6-0, and Cole Palmer scoring four at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s triumph over the Toffees hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons: their players squabbling over who should a penalty.

It’s no secret Palmer is the Blues’ designated penalty taker, but Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson embarrassed themselves with a child-like quarrell on the penalty spot. Palmer and Gallagher intervened before handing the ball to the top scorer.

Former Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas had his say on the incident – do you agree?

My word, how’s he managed that?! Keane Lewis-Potter’s header looks set to fire Brentford in front but the Belgian manages to claw the ball from off the goal line.

What a player he’s been for the Hatter this season…

• Sheffield United have 84 goals in their 32 Premier League games so far this season – that’s the MOST of any top flight side at this stage since Ipswich Town in 1963-64.
• The Blades have conceded MORE goals this season than in any of their campaigns since 1954-55.
• Burley have DROPPED 24 points from winning positions this season, only Brentford have lost more (30).
• NO club have used more players in the Premier League this season than Sheffield United’s 33.
• Oli McBurnie has been involved in EIGHT goals in his last eight Premier League appearances, scoring six and assisting twice.

How hasn’t Oli McBurnie put Sheffield United ahead?! The striker look sure to fire the hosts in front from close range but Burnley’s goalkeeper makes a fine save to keep things level early on…

• The Hatters come into this game after ending a NINE-game winless run with their home win against Bournemouth last weekend.
• There have been 116 goals in Luton’s fixtures this season, making them the THIRD most entertaining team to watch in the league.
• FOUR of Luton’s six victories this season have come at home. Luton have scored more league goals (24) than Man United (23)

We’re underway around the grounds in the Premier League!

An update from our reporter at Kenilworth Road, DOMINIC HOGAN:

From Joy Division to Tag Team, Shakira to The Jam, the DJ here at Kenilworth Road is doing their utmost to get the stands bouncing ahead of what is a massive, massive game for both sides in the relegation battle. That being said, I’m not too sure they need go to the effort – it’s already a vibrant atmosphere; such is the power of the Kenny that so much noise can be generated by comparatively few voices. The Hatters have three of their last five games in front of their own fans – could it prove the difference for Rob Edwards’ side between playing Championship or Premier League football next term?

Pep Guardiola admitted he is ‘unsure’ whether Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne will be fit to start against Chelsea after the pair were substituted early during City’s Champions League defeat in midweek.

The truth is, with City’s next clash coming against Brighton on Thursday, there’s plenty of rest time to recover after today’s crucial semi-final. It’s likely Guardiola will do everything he can to get them into the starting XI.

As for Nathan Ake and John Stones, both are back fit and available, and therefore it’s likely one – if not both – will return against Chelsea. Josko Gvardiol’s solid form of late sees him return in our predicted lineup.

As for Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino will no doubt go full strength with plenty of bodies in the engine room to negate City’s midfield threat. Expect Conor Gallagher to stick on De Bruyne like a leech, if the Belgian starts.

Manchester City predicted XI:
Ortega; Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland

Chelsea predicted XI:
Petrovic; Gusto, Chalobah, Silva, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson

The decision to scrap FA Cup replays has upset many fans this week and with good reason. It hit me hard too…

It was an FA Cup fifth round replay that made me fall in love with football: my grandfather offered me his ticket to watch Portsmouth play Liverpool at Fratton Park on my birthday in 2004. The booming Pompey atmosphere, Shaka Hislop’s penalty save, Richard Hughes’ winner… it was the first time I truly understood the magic of the Cup.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, an unused subsitute in that game, had his say on the decision to scrap replays yesterday, along with an array of managers up and down the country.

How does the decision make you feel? Let me know in the comments…

It’s impossible to preview today’s FA Cup clash without talking about Cole Palmer.

The former Man City academy graduate has simply been sensational for Chelsea this season, netting 20 league goals and rivalling Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot.

It’s not just his goals that has been impressive. Palmer has lifted Chelsea to another level with his confidence and maturity, something Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson seemed to lack during their penalty-taking squabble on Monday. But more on that later…

Pep Guardiola must be dreading the thought of Palmer coming back to bite them today, and rest assured City’s lineup will be fully focused on neutralising his threat at Wembley.

Needless to say, this is a huge match for both sides at the foot of the Premier League and the Blades have opted for a front two of Ben Brereton Diaz and Oli McBurnie in search of goals.

As for Burnley, Lyle Foster leads the line with Arijanet Muric still preferred between the sticks over James Trafford.

Ivan Toney is the shock exclusion for Brentford today, with the England international not included in Thomas Frank’s matchday squad.

Meanwhile, Carlton Morris lead Luton again as Rob Edwards names a full strength side at Kenilworth Road.

It’s almost impossoible not to set your sights on the trophy once you’ve made it to the last four, especially if you’re in Manchester City’s or Chelsea’s position. Many will say City are clear favourites but remember, Chelsea were only an extra-time goal away from lifting the League Cup at Wembley in February.

Whoever triumphs today will have the luxury of facing either Manchester United or Coventry City in the final and take home football’s most historic cup competition.

With Coventry the only non-Premier League juggernaut left in the competition, Mail Sport’s IAN HERBERT dived into the Sky Blues’ incredible journey ahead tomorrow’s clash at Wembley.

If Man City went on to win the Treble AGAIN this season, it would have been one of the craziest stories ever in football.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid crushed any hope of a successive Treble on Wednesday as they knocked the Premier League leaders out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, triumphing in the penalty shootout.

There was plenty to unpack from the game – Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland supposedly coming off because they were tired, Real Madrid’s shrewd penalty-taking tactics and whether City could rally themselves to go again.

If you missed any of the aftermath, take a look at some of Mail Sport’s popular stories over the last couple of days…

Of course, all eyes will be on Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final a little later on, with proceedings getting underway at Wembley at the unusual kick-off time at 5.15pm.

Before that though, there’s a battle at the bottom of the Premier League for us to keep our eye on at 3pm.

Sheffield United take on Burnley at Bramall Lane, with the loser almost certain to seal relegation to the Championship next season.

Meanwhile, Luton host Brentford at Kenilworth Road, with the Hatters able to climb out of the relegation zone with a much-needed win.

So, who’s coming out on top today? Let me know in the comments…

Good afternoon and welcome for what promises to be an entertaining day of football!

We’ve got loads in store – in particular Wembley’s enthralling FA Cup semi-final showpiece between Man City and Chelsea – but there’s all plenty of Premier League action for us to sink our teeth into.

We’ll be here throughout the afternoon and evening to bring you live updates, team news and match action from both competitions. Don’t go anywhere!