Manchester City edge Chelsea in FA Cup final as Semenyo’s late winner seals glory

Pep Guardiola’s decision to start Omar Marmoush over Rayan Cherki in the FA Cup final raised eyebrows, though it did not match the controversy of omitting Fernandinho or Rodri against Chelsea in the 2021 Champions League final. Marmoush, deployed high alongside Erling Haaland, struggled to connect with City’s midfield and attack, enabling Chelsea to absorb pressure in a lackluster first half. Guardiola replaced him with Cherki at halftime.

Chelsea grew into the match after a nervous start and at times looked more likely to win. Interim head coach Calum McFarlane, in only his sixth senior game, successfully deployed a back three. Reece James and Moisés Caicedo anchored midfield, while wing-backs Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella defended stoutly and created chances. City grew edgy as Nico O’Reilly struggled at left-back and Chelsea exploited Guardiola’s high line. João Pedro led the line well before tiring.

Chelsea showed pride but will finish a chaotic season empty-handed due to a lack of conviction in the final third. João Pedro scuffed a chance, Caicedo had a header cleared off the line, and Enzo Fernández volleyed over after City took the lead. Cole Palmer flashed moments of quality but his decision-making was subpar. Antoine Semenyo’s late winner proved decisive, though Chelsea felt they should have had at least one penalty after Abdukodir Khusanov’s shoulder barges on Jorrel Hato and João Pedro. McFarlane fumed as referee Darren England waved both appeals away.

McFarlane’s side did almost everything right, doubling up on Jérémy Doku and using a back three of Hato, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana to smother Haaland. City were erratic in possession; Rodri, a doubt before the final, seemed less than 100%, leaving Bernardo Silva isolated. Silva, who is leaving at the end of the season, scrapped and fought to avoid losing his last final for City. The 31-year-old captain lacked his best game but displayed impressive desire, while Chelsea’s young team lacked the know-how to close out the match. Guardiola turned to proven winner Mateo Kovacic for Rodri in the 65th minute, and City soon led.

Haaland had a difficult afternoon with few sights of goal, but he showed decisiveness when the ball broke loose in midfield. He rumbled forward, ran onto Silva’s pass and pulled a cross back for Semenyo to score with a Kanu-esque backheel in the 72nd minute. Semenyo had been off the pace, sending one shot out for a throw-in in the first half, but he kept going and earned his reward. Chelsea, who briefly considered signing Semenyo from Bournemouth in January, were breached at last. City can reflect on £65m well spent. It was a goal the game did not deserve, but Semenyo likely does not care; he has already won two trophies since joining City.