Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday, as Antoine Semenyo’s stunning flicked goal in the second half was worthy of winning any game.
City huffed and puffed throughout and created the better chances in a tight game. But it took until the 72nd minute for the only goal of the game to arrive.
A ball into the box from Erling Haaland was flicked home by Semenyo in wonderful fashion and City held on to win the FA Cup for the eighth time in their history.
Chelsea dug in well throughout and had a couple of big chances, and penalty kick calls, but they just couldn’t find a way to unlock City.
Pep Guardiola’s side have now won the League Cup and FA Cup trophies this season, as they aim to pip Arsenal to the league title over the final two games of the season to complete a domestic treble.
Guardiola has won 20 trophies as Man City manager over the last 10 years. Not a bad ratio of two per year.
Celebrations at @wembleystadium 🩵@ManCity lift the #EmiratesFACup trophy 🏆 pic.twitter.com/4wm2bn4EqJ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 16, 2026
Chelsea vs Manchester City score: 0-1
Semenyo 72'
Chelsea vs Manchester City live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Delap heads over
At the start of five minutes of stoppage time a cross is whipped in by Malo Gusto but sub Liam Delap gets too much on the header and it goes over. That was a tough chance. Chelsea are in desperation mode now.
Cherki denied by Sanchez
Another big chance for City late on. The ball drops to Rayan Cherki on the edge of the box and he powers a shot on goal which Robert Sanchez pushes away. Chelsea are understandably taking more and more risks now.
Nunes hits the post!
City are going for the second, big time, as O’Reilly is in on the left but his cross is cleared by Caicedo. On the other side of the box Cherki then plays in Nunes. His shot from close range is deflected and then hits Sanchez, hits the post and comes out.
After O’Reilly picked the wrong pass, Hato goes down in the box!
It’s all happening now. City look certain to get a second goal as Nico O’Reilly is in but his pass is behind Haaland and others and Chelsea break. Hato is surging forward from defense and is in the penalty box and goes down under pressure from Khusanov. Chelsea want a penalty kick. VAR has a look but no penalty is given.
Enzo Fernandez should make it 1-1 right away!
A long throw from Chelsea is flicked on by Colwill and Fernandez flicks it on from close range, but the ball loops just over. So close to 1-1.
Semenyo’s sensational flick has City ahead!
Man City break the deadlock in style! Bernardo Silva surges forward and finds Erling Haaland in the box. He cuts the ball back and with his back to goal Antoine Semenyo delivers a special flicked finish as the ball rolls into the far corner. That is sensational. Just over 15 minutes to go.
OH. MY. WORD.
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 16, 2026
Antoine Semenyo with a sensational flick to light up this #EmiratesFACup Final and give @ManCity the breakthrough 🤯
📺 @BBCMOTD, @footballontnt and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/6WEjBKOHKS
Kovacic on for Rodri
Mateo Kovacic is on for Rodri, which makes sense as Rodri has only just come back from injury. Kovacic will look to get City back in control of the tempo of this game and ping some probing passes through to the attack.
Chelsea well on top now
This is a great few minutes from Chelsea as they are totally on top and putting City under plenty of pressure with crosses being whipped into the box. Chelsea want a penalty for handball on O’Reilly but there was nothing there. Still, it’s all getting a bit ropey for City. They’re dropping deeper.
Rodri clears off the line as this game livens up!
Finally this game has got going. The ball is played back to James Trafford but he fumbles his touch and the ball goes out for a corner. From that corner Trafford comes out flapping as Haaland heads away. Moises Caicedo sends a looping header back on target but Rodri is there to head off the line. Really good atmosphere building now.
Brilliant cross from O’Reilly but Semenyo can’t convert!
Big chance for City at the start of the second half. Nico O’Reilly’s superb cross to the back post finds Antoine Semenyo but he can’t keep his header down. He knows he should have hit the target.
Cherki is on for Semenyo
Rayan Cherki is on at half time for Omar Marmoush. That was the surprise call from Pep Guardiola and he probably didn’t get that one right.
Half time — Chelsea will be the happier side
Well, that was pretty tame. Chelsea have been solid defensively and reduced City to very few big chances. While at the other end Joao Pedro has been a real threat on the counter. 0-0. All to play for. City have plenty of options on the bench and surely we will see Rayan Cherki very soon in the second half.
Joao Pedro wants a penalty but he’s not getting that
Chelsea’s main man up top Joao Pedro surges into the box again and this time Abdukodir Khusanov is just a yard off the pace. He comes steaming over and nudges into Joao Pedro but it was more a coming together than a foul. After the referee gave nothing on the pitch, VAR checks for a penalty kick but nothing is given. Fair enough. Play on.
Sanchez denies Haaland
Haaland is in down the left side of the box again but his shot is from a tight angle and Sanchez stands tall to save.
Haaland scores... but he’s offside
Matheus Nunes is played in and crosses for Erling Haaland to tap home, but the goal is ruled out for offside. Nunes was clearly offside when the original pass was played in.
Haaland’s cross is just off
City are having a go now and Erling Haaland is in down the left side of the box. From a tight angle he can’t shoot but his cross is just a little too high. That was a big chance.
Joao Pedro slips at the vital moment!
Chelsea are in on the break as Enzo Fernandez finds Joao Pedro. The Brazilian striker does really well to cut back and create some space, but he then slips as he takes his shot and the chance goes begging. That is exactly the kind of chance Chelsea will be looking to create. City were caught napping on the counter there.
Gusto’s cross headed behind
Chelsea are back in the game now and some patient build-up play ends with Malo Gusto whipping in a dangerous cross to the back post. Marc Cucurella was lurking but City clear for a corner which comes to nothing.
City starting to create chances and momentum
A Jeremy Doku cross to the back post finds Rodri and his header back across goal is cleared by Joao Pedro. City are putting Chelsea under plenty of pressure now and starting to create a few gaps around the box.
Even start at Wembley
City have had more of the ball, which is expected, but Chelsea have more than held their own and it has been a very even start.
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Gusto, James, Caicedo, Cucurella; Palmer, Fernandez; Joao Pedro
Manchester City lineup
Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rodri, Silva; Semenyo, Marmoush, Doku; Haaland
Chelsea team news, focus
Estevao, Jamie Gitten and Jesse Derry are out, while goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and wingers Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto are injury doubts. This is all about Chelsea staying in the game for as long as possible and if they get a couple of chances they have to be clinical. Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer obviously provide real quality in attack, while Reece James being fit enough to come back into midfield could be key.
Manchester City team news, focus
Rodri is the only injury doubt for City and Pep Guardiola even had the luxury of resting plenty of key players for their big midweek win against Crystal Palace in the league. Erling Haaland will start up top with Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku behind him and City’s aim will be to score early and often to put this result beyond any doubt.
Chelsea vs Manchester City preview
Man City have their eye on a domestic treble after already winning the League Cup and with two games of the league season to go they’re pushing Arsenal all the way for the Premier League trophy. Pep Guardiola’s City are the heavy favorites to win this FA Cup final and that would give them a big boost in the final days of the league season.
But Chelsea will be dangerous and caretaker boss Calum McFarlane will set his team up to be tough to break down and ruthless on the break. The Blues have endured a woeful few months as they’ve gone from potential Premier League title contenders to sitting outside the top eight. Winning the FA Cup would at least rescue some pride from their dramatic collapse.
Chelsea vs Manchester City prediction
This feels like City will run away with it and make the most of Chelsea’s lack of confidence. Chelsea 1-3 Manchester City.
How to watch Chelsea vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (May 16)
Venue: Wembley Stadium — North London
TV Channel/Streaming: ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+
