Manchester City defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday as Antoine Semenyo scored a stunning second-half winner to hand City their eighth FA Cup title.
In a tense final with few clear-cut chances, Semenyo produced the decisive moment in the 72nd minute. The Ghana international instinctively flicked home Erling Haaland’s low cross beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from a difficult angle.
The win also secured City’s third FA Cup triumph under manager Pep Guardiola and the 20th major trophy of Guardiola’s decade-long reign at the club.
City dominated possession early on and nearly opened the scoring after seven minutes when Omar Marmoush flicked goalwards, but Sanchez gathered comfortably.
Chelsea gradually settled into the match and threatened on the counterattack through Joao Pedro. City pressed aggressively and almost capitalised on an error from Reece James midway through the first half, but Haaland’s dangerous cross evaded Marmoush inside the box.
Chelsea finished the first half strongly and continued to threaten after the break. Rodri produced a crucial goalline clearance to deny Moises Caicedo after the midfielder’s header looked destined for the net.
Semenyo then settled the contest with a moment of brilliance. Haaland broke into space down the right before drilling a low ball into the box, where Semenyo reacted instinctively to guide the ball home.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but City’s defence, led by man of the match Marc Guehi, held firm to secure victory.
Guardiola praised his players after the final whistle.
“It’s special to win but I had the feeling that last season against Crystal Palace and two seasons ago we were better than today but these types of games, I said it last season, the margins are so minimal,” Guardiola said.
“This trophy is really cool for the tradition. Back to Manchester now to prepare for the last two games.”
The City boss also praised Semenyo’s impact since joining the club in January.
“Since he arrived, he has had a sense of goal. He can play in three positions and in the last game he had an incredible finish.
“It was massive. It was a little swap, normally he crosses to Erling but he has that sense and it was a really good goal.”
Semenyo described the winning moment as surreal.
“It feels surreal to be honest. I don’t even have words to describe it. I’ve never competed for trophies like this before,” he said.
“Everything is new to me. I’m enjoying every day and enjoying all these trophies. Hopefully we can finish off the job by the end of the season.”
Speaking about the goal, he added: “It’s happened a couple of times in training! It happened perfectly today.
“It was behind me, as long as I got contact on it and it was towards goal, I was hoping it would go in.
“Everything happened so fast. I wanted to get into the box and make sure I’m a presence. It came straight to me and I just had to improvise as quickly as I can.
“I’m happy with the finish and grateful. It was good enough contact, timed perfectly and Sanchez couldn’t get there. It’s a good finish I can’t lie.”
City captain Bernardo Silva also celebrated another trophy in what could be his final season at the club.
“It’s very special. I’m very happy. Everything about my journey here at City was fantastic. It’s really nice to finish this way,” Silva said.
“Hopefully we can still have a small dream that we can fight for the Premier League. We’re going to try against Bournemouth to keep those hopes alive. Today we’re really happy.
“It’s special for me being my last season to give them another trophy. Hopefully not the last one, but another trophy.
“Since I arrived it’s been 20, so it’s not bad. I’m happy to enjoy all these moments with teammates and fans as well.”
The victory means City have now won both the FA Cup and League Cup in the same season for the second time in the club’s history.
