Manchester City completed a domestic cup double by defeating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley to win the FA Cup, with their vanquished opponents hoping to kickstart a new era by announcing Xabi Alonso as their new manager.
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.”
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.
Xabi Alonso announced as new Chelsea manager after signing long-term deal
The Spanish tactician has penned terms on a four-year deal to succeed Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge and will begin his reign on 1 July ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The 44-year-old is likely to lead the Blues in a season without European football after a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City under interim boss Calum McFarlane in the FA Cup final with the side currently ninth in the Premier League with two games remaining.
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.”
Bernardo Silva reacts to the win and his farewell
“It is a special stadium, the FA Cup is a special competition we know how much it mean to the fans of this country and its really beautiful to end my journey here this way.”
Pep Guardiola reacts to his side’s FA Cup win
“Five finals in 10 years, won three lost two, quite decent I would say. Against Colwill, James and Caicedo, they are so good.
“Second half they were better even though we had the first chance with Antoine [Semenyo], they were better, but we found the goal.
“I just have the feeling that last season against Crystal Palace and even the previous season against United we were better than today.”
Antoine Semenyo delivers cup glory for Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s tactical tweak
They all wanted Antoine Semenyo. Tottenham last summer, Manchester United and Liverpool in January. Chelsea were interested too, though that may be less noteworthy given that they tend to want every winger on the planet.
Manchester City got him, and if the financial muscle to pay a sizeable fee helps, if the availability of one of the leading scorers in the Premier League who was both at a smaller club and in possession of a release clause meant it hardly counted as an inspired piece of scouting, there can be a reward for doing the obvious. But there can be one for thinking out of the box, for trying the unorthodox, too.
Steven Gerrard gives his assessment of Chelsea’s future
“There’s definitely a lot of questions at board level that the fans want answers to. They need to attract an elite manager to coach these real talented players that they have got.
“They need to recruit in the defensive area for me, they need a centre-half to compliment Colwill.”
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.”
