City, Chelsea meet in 'unofficial final' in FA Cup

MANCHESTER, England - The Associated Press

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (C) shoots past Chelsea's Petr Cech (L) during their English Premier League soccer match at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, February 24, 2013. REUTERS Photo

Manchester City and Chelsea can make up for unfulfilling campaigns in the Premier League by winning their FA Cup semifinal on Sunday and installing themselves as heavy favorites to lift the old trophy next month.
 
City's 2-1 league win at Old Trafford on Monday is unlikely to trigger a meltdown by Manchester United, which holds a commanding 12-point lead over its neighbor with just seven games left. In fact, City and third-place Chelsea have already conceded the title.
 
It makes their meeting at Wembley Stadium all the more pivotal, especially since the winner will take on Premier League struggler Wigan or second-tier Millwall in the final.
 
Some are even describing the City-Chelsea fixture as the "unofficial final."