Manchester City have lifted the FA Cup for a third time under Pep Guardiola after Antoine Semenyo produced an absolutely sensational backheel finish to sink Chelsea at Wembley.
The forward’s moment of magic arrived in the 70th minute, breaking the deadlock in what had been a tense and cagey final between two sides desperate for silverware.
It’s a result that extends Chelsea’s miserable run at the national stadium, with the Blues now suffering a record seventh consecutive domestic cup final defeat at Wembley.
For City, though, it’s pure jubilation as Guardiola secures another piece of silverware in what could be his final season.
Antoine Semenyo’s slick backheel goal saw Man City win the FA Cup
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The goal itself was a thing of beauty, and City fans inside Wembley went absolutely wild.
Bernardo Silva picked out Erling Haaland on the right, and the Norwegian unselfishly laid the ball back for Semenyo rather than shooting himself.
What followed was pure class – Semenyo produced the cheekiest of flicks around the corner, spinning the ball into the far post beyond Robert Sanchez
Chelsea’s defence, which had been rock solid, suddenly looked completely disorganised.
Cole Palmer suffered defeat against his former side in the FA Cup final while Bernardo Silva bows out of Manchester with another trophy under his belt
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OH. MY. WORD.
Antoine Semenyo with a sensational flick to light up this #EmiratesFACup Final and give @ManCity the breakthrough 🤯
đź“ş @BBCMOTD, @footballontnt and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/6WEjBKOHKS
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 16, 2026
The opening 70 minutes had been a proper arm-wrestle between the two sides.
City dominated early on, controlling possession and probing Chelsea’s backline, but clear-cut chances proved elusive.
Haaland had a golden opportunity when Reece James was dispossessed, but the Norwegian fired his effort miles wide – continuing his struggles in finals, having now failed to score in his last nine for City.
Chelsea grew into the contest after the break, with Moises Caicedo going close with a header that Rodri cleared off the line.
The Blues had multiple penalty appeals waved away by referee Darren England, with VAR agreeing each time.
City’s goal sent Chelsea tumbling towards an unwanted piece of history – a record seventh straight domestic cup final loss at Wembley, following three League Cup and three FA Cup defeats.
Manchester City have now won three FA Cups under Pep Guardiola
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The Blues threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, with Enzo Fernandez attempting to loop the ball over James Trafford but sending it over the bar.
City could have wrapped things up, with Rayan Cherki hitting the post and then firing straight at Sanchez as Chelsea’s defending fell apart.
Liam Delap, the former City man, had a free header for Chelsea but sent it horribly wide with five minutes remaining – their best chance to rescue something from a painful afternoon.
