`Man City vs Chelsea delivered Wembley drama as Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup Final on Saturday thanks to Antoine Semenyo’s cheeky 72nd-minute backheel.
Erling Haaland did the hard work down the right before Semenyo stole the show. That’s an 8th FA Cup for City. It’s also a domestic cup double for 2025/26.
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First half: Frustration and VAR
City came flying out. Chelsea didn’t. Pochettino’s plan was clear — sit deep, stay compact, hit on the counter. It almost worked. For 45 minutes City huffed but couldn’t blow the door down. Then they thought they had.
Haaland tapped in from Nunes’ cross right on half-time. The flag stayed down. VAR didn’t. Nunes was offside by a shoulder. No goal. 0-0 at the break. Omar Marmoush looked lost. He wouldn’t see the second half.
Pep’s fix changed everything
Guardiola didn’t wait. Rayan Cherki came on for Marmoush at half-time. Instant impact. Cherki started picking up pockets between Caicedo and James.
Suddenly Chelsea had problems. Doku and Bernardo had space. City’s tempo went up two gears. You could feel the goal coming.
72 minutes: Wembley magic
Haaland bullied his way to the byline. Cutback, low and hard. Semenyo was already moving. Near post, no look, backheel flick. Sanchez had no chance. 1-0 City.
The City end exploded. Semenyo ran straight to the bench. That was the moment. One touch of class won the cup.
Chelsea fight, Sanchez stands tall
They didn’t quit. Cherki nearly killed it off on 88 minutes. Curled for the far corner. Sanchez at full stretch, fingertips to the ball, over the bar. World class save.
Pedro glanced a header wide in the 92nd minute. That was as close as Chelsea got.
Standouts and strugglers
Semenyo – Match winner. Took his goal like a street footballer. Tormented Gusto all game.
Sanchez – Kept Chelsea in it. Three massive saves. Not his fault.
Marmoush – Hooked at half-time. Gave the ball away seven times. Night to forget.
The man city vs Chelsea rivalry always produces moments, and Semenyo delivered the biggest one yet.
What happens now
City lift their 8th FA Cup. Two trophies in the cabinet already and they’re still chasing Arsenal for the league. That’s next Sunday.
For Chelsea, it’s full stop on a messy season. The interim staff confirmed it after the whistle: Xabi Alonso starts Monday. New era begins now.
No Pep quotes made it out of the dressing room. Word is there were tears. A few City veterans are done. On the other side, Chelsea’s staff kept it short: “We move on. Xabi starts work Monday.”
