Antoine Semenyo wrote his name into FA Cup history after scoring the winning goal for in Saturday’s final against at Wembley.
Eight years after a loan spell at non-league Bath City, the 26-year-old forward produced a clever flicked finish in the 72nd minute to hand City victory in a largely dull final.
City signed Semenyo from Bournemouth in January for £62.5m, and he has quickly justified the fee. His goal secured manager ’s 16th major trophy at the club and the 20th trophy of Guardiola’s 10-year reign.
“It has happened a couple of times in training – it happened perfectly today,” Semenyo told BBC Sport. “Everything happened so fast to be honest. It came straight to me and I had to improvise myself as quickly as I could.
“I have never competed for trophies like this before, so everything is new to me. Hopefully, we can finish the job off. It is a good finish, I can’t lie.
“As a kid I have always wanted to be playing for the top teams – it took a long time to get there, but I am grateful.”
Former England goalkeeper praised the strike on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It was just brilliant from Antoine Semenyo. The timing of the run and the finish is incredible,” Robinson said.
“It was either going to take a mistake or a piece of quality to break the deadlock in this game – and it was a moment of sheer quality.
“That, for me, is one of the goals of the season.”
Guardiola Urged Semenyo To “Create Chaos”
City struggled to break down Chelsea for most of the match as the London side defended deep and looked to counterattack.
Semenyo eventually provided the breakthrough and also won the player of the match award. He added the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup title City won against Arsenal in March.
Since arriving from Bournemouth ahead of interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham, Semenyo has made an immediate impact. He scored on his debut in a 10-1 FA Cup win over Exeter and has contributed more FA Cup goals than any City player this season.
He also became the first Ghanaian player to score in an FA Cup final.
“The first thing he [Pep Guardiola] said to me when I came was ‘don’t change your game’,” Semenyo said.
“He knows we control the game a lot, he still wants me to be me, still create a bit of chaos.”
Guehi Celebrates Another FA Cup Success
Marc Guehi also impressed after joining City from Crystal Palace for £20m.
Guardiola praised both January signings after the win.
“You can spend, I don’t know how much money, and if it works it’s cheap and you can spend less money and if it doesn’t work it is not cheap, it is expensive,” Guardiola said.
“At the end there was an opportunity with a release clause for Antoine and the last six months contract from Crystal Palace for [Guehi].
“With Ruben [Dias] and Josko [Gvardiol] and everyone fit, maybe we don’t go for Marc or Antoine, but we had this opportunity and, with the situation, both have been extraordinary.”
Guehi became only the fourth player to appear for different winning teams in consecutive FA Cup finals after helping Crystal Palace beat City last season.
“To be honest, they are both equally as nice. The one with Palace was a different occasion. It was my first trophy,” Guehi told TNT Sports.
“This one, especially after the tough season, they’re both equally amazing.”
Despite the celebrations, Guardiola said City would delay any major partying because the club remains in the Premier League title race.
“Not even one beer,” Guardiola said.
“Next Monday after [the final game against] Aston Villa, we are going to celebrate it with the women’s team.
“No, no, no – not have time [to celebrate].”
