Manchester City claimed the FA Cup on Saturday, beating Chelsea 1–0 in the final at Wembley Stadium thanks to a stunning late goal from Antoine Semenyo, securing the club's eighth FA Cup title and keeping alive the prospect of a historic treble this season.
The match was a tightly contested and at times scrappy affair, with few clear chances in the first half. A goal from Erling Haaland was ruled out for offside earlier in the game, and Chelsea pressed for a penalty on three separate occasions in the second half, though the referee declined each appeal. With roughly 15 minutes remaining, City finally broke the deadlock. Haaland played a cross into the box, and Semenyo — the Ghanaian forward who joined City from Bournemouth in the winter transfer window — converted with an extraordinary backheel flick, guiding the ball into the far corner. The goal proved to be the winner, and Semenyo's composed performance capped a remarkable debut season at the club in which he has scored ten goals in 25 appearances.
For manager Pep Guardiola, the victory represents a 20th trophy since taking charge at Manchester City, and a second of this season following February's EFL Cup triumph over Arsenal. City had suffered back-to-back FA Cup final defeats in 2024 and 2025 — against Manchester United and Crystal Palace respectively — making Saturday's win all the more significant for a squad that had reached four consecutive finals.
The result also carries significant consequences for Chelsea. The FA Cup winner receives automatic qualification for the UEFA Europa League, meaning that prize now goes to City. Chelsea must instead rely on their final Premier League standings to secure a place in European competition next season.
Beyond the cup, City's eyes are now fixed on the Premier League title. Arsenal currently lead the table, but with matches remaining, City are still in contention. A slip from Arsenal could hand Guardiola's side a domestic treble — a scenario that, as recently as a few weeks ago, seemed unlikely for a squad that endured a difficult stretch of form earlier in the campaign.