Manchester City beat Chelsea in FA Cup final with Semenyo’s backheel winner

Manchester City defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley, with Antoine Semenyo scoring a stunning backheel winner in the 72nd minute. Pep Guardiola’s unexpected decision to start Omar Marmoush over Rayan Cherki backfired, as the Egyptian forward struggled to link with Erling Haaland and the midfield, disrupting City’s rhythm. Guardiola replaced him with Cherki at half-time.

Despite City’s slow start, Chelsea grew into the game after a nervous opening, with interim head coach Calum McFarlane’s back-three formation proving effective. Reece James and Moisés Caicedo controlled midfield, while wing-backs Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella defended well and created chances. City’s Nico O’Reilly looked vulnerable at left-back, and João Pedro caused problems for Guardiola’s high line before tiring.

Chelsea showed pride but ended a chaotic season empty-handed due to a lack of conviction in the final third. João Pedro scuffed a first-half chance, Caicedo had a header cleared off the line, and Enzo Fernández volleyed over after City’s goal. Cole Palmer showed flashes but his decision-making was below par. Chelsea also felt aggrieved by refereeing decisions, with two penalty appeals waved away by Darren England after Abdukodir Khusanov’s shoulder barges on Jorrel Hato and João Pedro. McFarlane fumed at the calls.

McFarlane’s frustration stemmed from his side doing almost everything right. Chelsea doubled up on Jérémy Doku, and a back three of Hato, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana smothered Haaland. City were erratic, with Rodri not fully fit and Bernardo Silva isolated. However, Silva, who is leaving at the end of the season, showed determination to avoid losing his last final for City. The captain scrapped and fought, while Chelsea’s young team lacked the experience to close out the game.

The winning goal was one of the best in FA Cup final history. Haaland, largely quiet and still without a Wembley goal, sprang to life when a loose ball fell in midfield. He surged forward, collected a pass from Silva, and pulled the ball back for Semenyo, who finished with a Kanu-esque backheel. “What a skilful finish. What a signing,” the commentary noted. Semenyo, who had been off the pace and even sent one shot out for a throw-in, kept going and earned his reward. Chelsea had briefly considered signing him from Bournemouth in January, but City can look back on £65m well spent. Semenyo has now won two trophies since joining.