After a difficult stretch, Chelsea finally broke their losing streak with a hard-fought draw against Liverpool in the Premier League. The result offers a glimmer of hope as the Blues now turn their focus to Saturday's FA Cup final—a chance to salvage their season with silverware.

But the question remains: can this Chelsea side truly challenge Manchester City at Wembley? Did the performance at Anfield signal genuine improvement, or were they simply fortunate to face a Liverpool team equally plagued by fragility and disorganization?

The early signs were troubling. Just a week after conceding within minutes against Nottingham Forest, Chelsea repeated the pattern, allowing Ryan Gravenberch space on the edge of the box to fire home after only five minutes. Despite repeated promises from coaches and players to address these slow starts, the problem persists.

What did improve—and this is where fans can find some encouragement—was the team's response. For once, Chelsea didn't retreat into their familiar shell of defeatism and finger-pointing. Instead, they showed genuine belief they could fight back, a refreshing change from recent outings.

However, that belief was fueled largely by Liverpool's own hesitancy. Huge gaps in midfield allowed Moisés Caicedo and others to dictate play and shift momentum. Manchester City, as we know, will offer no such generosity. Pep Guardiola's side suffocates space and punishes every mistake.

For Chelsea to have any chance at Wembley, they must defend resolutely for at least an hour. If they continue their habit of conceding early, the final could be over before it truly begins. Given their recent form, the Blues are lucky to even be in this match—but a sliver of hope is still hope.