Man City beats Chelsea in FA Cup final after Semenyo goal

By  JAMES ROBSONSunday May 17, 2026

Wembley has seen plenty of dramatic FA Cup finals in its 155-year history, but few goals can have matched the audacity of the strike that decided this one.

Manchester City claimed a 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday, sealing the trophy through a moment of sheer invention from Antoine Semenyo.

The final had been drifting toward a tense, chance-starved conclusion until the forward produced a stunning back-heel finish in the second half to transform the contest.

In the 72nd minute, Semenyo ran onto an Erling Haaland cross, flicked the ball with his heel and steered it low into the far corner, beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who had dived in vain.

“It has happened a couple of times in training, it happened perfectly today. … It came straight to me and I had to improvise myself as quickly as I can,” Semenyo told the BBC. “It is a good finish, I can’t lie.”

Chelsea interim coach Calum McFarlane was left to concede the quality of the finish.

“For me it’s a one in 100 goal,” he said. “For me, no, there’s not much more you can do to defend it.”

The win keeps City on course for a domestic treble after they already lifted the English League Cup. Pep Guardiola’s side are also second in the Premier League, two points behind Arsenal with two matches remaining.

With Bournemouth up next on Tuesday, Guardiola said his players would be allowed “even one beer” in celebration.

The triumph marked Guardiola’s 17th major trophy in 10 years at City and the 35th of his managerial career.

City have now won the FA Cup eight times, drawing level with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham in joint-third on the all-time list of winners.

For Chelsea, the defeat confirmed a season without silverware, 12 months after they were crowned Club World Cup champions, and brought another painful chapter in a troubled campaign.

After dismissing two coaches since the turn of the year, Chelsea went into the final with McFarlane, a former youth coach, in only his seventh game in charge of the senior side.

The scale of the unrest at the club was evident before kick-off, when supporters gathered outside the stadium to protest against the American ownership.

Against that backdrop, McFarlane deserves credit for keeping Guardiola’s team frustrated for so long.

That resistance ended with Semenyo’s decisive flash of brilliance.

The Ghana international arrived at City from Bournemouth in January and has made a swift impact, scoring 10 goals and helping the club to two trophies.

“As a kid I have always wanted to be playing for the top teams. It took a long time to get there, but I am grateful,” Semenyo said. “The first thing he (Guardiola) said to me when I came was, ‘Don’t change your game’ … he still wants me to be me, still create a bit of chaos.”

Fourth straight final

After the final whistle, City supporters sang the club anthem “Blue Moon” and erupted as Bernardo Silva and John Stones lifted the famous trophy, with both players set to depart at the end of the season.

“Being able to lift another trophy at Wembley, where we have played so many times, is such a special feeling, one I never take for granted,” Bernardo said. “To do so as captain makes this one of the best days of my career.”

City’s success came after defeats in the previous two finals. This was their record fourth consecutive appearance in the showpiece, and they last won the competition in 2023.

Chelsea have now lost their last four FA Cup finals, matching Leicester’s record for consecutive defeats.

Arsenal hold the record for the most FA Cup victories with 14, while Manchester United are next on 13.

Prince William congratulated Guardiola as he collected his winners’ medal. The City manager then looked out across Wembley at the celebrating supporters.

Speculation has grown that this could be Guardiola’s final season at City, though he has not confirmed his plans.

“The future is bright,” Guardiola said. “I know the guys, I know how they feel … next year we will be there, we will be better next season.”