Manchester City completed a domestic double with a 1-0 win over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, lifting the FA Cup thanks to Antoine Semenyo’s brilliant second-half finish.
Pep Guardiola’s side controlled possession for long periods in a tense and cagey final, but clear-cut opportunities were limited throughout the contest.
Chelsea defended well in the first half and gradually grew into the contest, although neither goalkeeper was seriously tested before the break.
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Haaland has early strike ruled out
City thought they had opened the scoring midway through the first half when Erling Haaland tapped home from Matheus Nunes’ cross, but the move was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
Haaland later forced Robert Sanchez into a strong save after racing through on goal, while Omar Marmoush and Semenyo both failed to capitalise on half-chances.
Chelsea’s best attacking moments before half-time came from wide areas, with Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella delivering dangerous balls into the box, though City’s defence, led by Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov, dealt with the aerial threat effectively.
Joao Pedro also appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty just before the interval after a physical challenge from Khusanov.
City find the breakthrough
The decisive moment arrived in the 72nd minute. Haaland combined neatly with Bernardo Silva inside the area before slipping a pass into the path of Semenyo, who produced an inventive backheel finish into the bottom corner.
Chelsea nearly responded immediately when Enzo Fernandez volleyed over from close range following Levi Colwill’s flick-on from a long throw.
Later opportunities also went begging for Liam Delap, whose late header drifted just over the crossbar, while City substitute Rayan Cherki was denied by an excellent point-blank save from Sanchez.
In the end, it was City’s day, with the club now keen to catch Arsenal in the final week of the Premier League season and complete another Treble.
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