Manchester City completed a domestic cup double by defeating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley to win the FA Cup.
In a lacklustre affair which saw few chances created by both teams, Antoine Semenyo got on the end of a threaded Erling Haaland past and backheeled a superb shot into the back of the net midway through the second half.
It was the only goal of the final and delivered a 20th title to City since Pep Guardiola took charge of the club.
Man City’s captain, Bernardo Silva, will leave the club at the end of the season and wished Guardiola ‘all the best’ by going out on a high. He said: “Since I arrived it’s been 20 trophies which isn’t bad. I care a lot about Manchester City. I wish all the best to the manager because I really enjoy being with him and sharing all these moments together.”
Away from the pitch Xabi Alonso is close to an agreement to become Chelsea’s next manager and lead them into a new era after a tough season.
Relive the action and follow the live reaction from the FA Cup final below:
FA Cup final shows contrast between Chelsea and Manchester City – but where do the clubs go from here?
It certainly doesn’t feel like the end of an era at Manchester City, since they keep on winning. Rather than as yet confirming any departure, Pep Guardiola instead just secured another trophy. His third personal FA Cup makes this a domestic cup double, that may yet become a second domestic treble.
City obviously need a lot to change in the title race but, as this 1-0 win over Chelsea showed, they keep on putting on the squeeze.
Man City’s matchwinner gives his reaction
Antoine Semenyo said: “I don’t know how to feel at the moment to be honest, I’m quite numb at the moment.”
On the goal: “Yeah I just tried to improvise the best I could, and it went in the bottom corner, I can’t even complain.
“I’ve done it couple of times in training.”
Joe Cole reacts to Manchester City’s win
“When you have that quality – Semenyo, Haaland, you can bring Cherki off the bench, I think they are the best team in Europe at the moment on current form.
“They just had a little bit too much in the end, you have to give them credit. The goal is a little bit of genius, on the biggest stage.”
‘Not even one beer’: Pep Guardiola reveals Man City’s celebrations are on hold with focus on Premier League
Pep Guardiola said he would not even allow his players one beer as he said they cannot party to celebrate their FA Cup win.
Manchester City completed a cup double by beating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley to follow their Carabao Cup triumph over Arsenal.
Xabi Alonso reportedly reaches agreement to join Chelsea
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic on ‘X’, the Spaniard visited London last week and has allegedly reached a four year agreement.
Reece James’ reaction
“It’s disappointing to lose, there wasn’t much in the game, it was even, they had one half chance and managed to take it. “
“No one is happy when you lose.”
“Last week we go to Anfield and probably should win and we lose today you know its difficult there are positives to take but also a lot to learn from.”
Marc Guehi joins an exclusive club of players
The Centre back becomes one of only four players to win back-to-back FA Cups with two different clubs.
He joins, Arthur Kinniard (1878, 1879), Brian Talbot (1978, 1979) and Olivier Giroud (2017, 2018)
Xabi Alonso set to become new Chelsea manager with agreement on long-term contract close
Xabi Alonso is close to becoming the new Chelsea manager with a full agreement close to completion.
The Blues, led by interim boss Calum McFarlane, lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, with Antoine Semenyo’s goal the difference at Wembley Stadium.
Marc Guehi’s reaction to back to back FA Cups
“It’s a lot, super proud of every single person, everyone here at the football club deserves nothing less than this.”
“The one with Palace was a different occasion, we were underdogs for ha game it was my first trophy so it is a different feeling. This one especially after the tough season of ups and downs we have had coming into a new environment a new club, they are both equally as amazing.”
Who can Chelsea bring in as their next manager to stop the rot?
There is a lot of chatter around the likes of Xabi Alonso who has allegedly had direct meetings with Chelsea.
But are there other options of successful managers in the Premier League like Oliver Glasner or Marco Silva
