Manchester City lifted a second domestic trophy of the campaign after a narrow 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Antoine Semenyo struck the decisive goal, adding this title to the EFL Cup success, while Pep Guardiola’s team also kept alive a small chance of completing a domestic treble in the final week of the Premier League season.
The contest stayed tight for long spells, yet Semenyo produced the standout moment on 72 minutes. Erling Haaland sprinted behind the Chelsea defence and drove in a low cross, which Semenyo met with an inventive flick past Robert Sanchez. The finish settled a tense FA Cup showpiece that never opened up for long periods.
Semenyo’s strike carried extra significance beyond the trophy itself. The
forward became the first Ghanaian player to score in an FA Cup final, writing a notable personal landmark on English football’s biggest domestic stage. The goal also gave Haaland a first direct goal contribution at Wembley, and in any final, since joining Manchester City.
1 - Antoine Semenyo is the first Ghanaian 🇬🇭 to score in an FA Cup final. Star. pic.twitter.com/XTdL2aE6w1OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 16, 2026
Guardiola adjusted his line-up for the FA Cup final, with Rayan Cherki starting on the bench and Omar Marmoush handed a surprise role. Manchester City looked disjointed before half-time, while Chelsea appeared sharper in possession. James Trafford remained largely untested, but the London side controlled several passages, even if clear chances were limited.
Manchester City still carved out the best early opportunities. Haaland forced a strong save from Sanchez and had another effort ruled out, with Matheus Nunes adjudged offside in the build-up. After the interval, Cherki’s introduction did not immediately change the rhythm, and Chelsea saw multiple penalty appeals rejected as both teams searched for control.
Chelsea almost equalised straight after Semenyo’s goal when Enzo Fernandez sliced over from a promising opening. Manchester City then wasted chances to extend the lead, as Nico O’Reilly and Cherki both missed from good positions. Liam Delap also headed over from the centre of the area, yet Chelsea could not punish those misses in the closing minutes.
FA Cup final: Historical doubles and manager records
Manchester City’s win completed a domestic cup double that only a few English clubs have achieved. It is the sixth time a team has collected both the FA Cup and EFL Cup in one season, following Arsenal in 1992-93, Liverpool in 2000-01 and 2021-22, Chelsea in 2006-07, and Manchester City in 2018-19.
Since losing the 2020-21 Champions League final to Chelsea, Manchester City have dominated this fixture. Guardiola’s side are now unbeaten in 14 meetings across all competitions against Chelsea, with 11 wins and three draws. Guardiola has also earned a third FA Cup winners’ medal, putting the manager behind only John Nicholson, Alex Ferguson, George Ramsay and Arsene Wenger.
The FA Cup final itself remained cagey, with attackers on both sides often crowded out. Opta recorded only 16 shots in total, the lowest figure for any FA Cup final since those records began in 2005. Manchester City will accept the lack of spectacle, as attention now shifts quickly to a league match against Semenyo’s former club Bournemouth on Tuesday.
