Manchester City win FA Cup as Semenyo downs Chelsea 1-0

Manchester City won the FA Cup on May 16, 2026, defeating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley Stadium in London. The victory completed an English cup double for Pep Guardiola’s side after their League Cup triumph earlier in the season. Antoine Semenyo decided the final with a late goal. The result sustains City’s domestic momentum with the Premier League title race still open.

Semenyo struck in the 72nd minute, meeting an Erling Haaland cross and guiding a deft back-heel past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The finish broke a long stalemate in a cautious final and tilted the contest in City’s favour.

City limited Chelsea’s best openings and protected their advantage with measured control in the closing stages. The clean sheet matched the tone of the game: disciplined, economical and enough to secure silverware.

This was City’s eighth FA Cup title, pairing with their League Cup success to underline depth and consistency across both domestic knockout competitions. It also kept competitive sharpness high ahead of the league run-in.

City trail leaders Arsenal by two points with two matches remaining, leaving the title within a single result if the leaders slip. The Wembley win reinforces confidence for a demanding final week of the campaign.

Manchester City’s decisive moment at Wembley

Semenyo’s back-heel breaks the deadlock

The winner came from quick movement in the penalty area as Semenyo turned Haaland’s low delivery into a clever back-heel that wrong-footed Sanchez with 18 minutes to play. The goal rewarded City’s patience in a tight match and shifted momentum decisively.

Clean sheet reflects disciplined setup

City’s structure restricted Chelsea to half-chances and set pieces, while controlled possession in midfield helped manage territory and tempo. Game management in the final minutes ensured the one-goal lead held firm under late pressure.

Chelsea’s finals run and summer outlook

Seventh straight domestic final defeat

The loss marked Chelsea’s seventh consecutive defeat in a domestic cup final, including a fourth in the FA Cup during that stretch. The performance was competitive for long spells, but the decisive margin again went against them at Wembley.

European picture and managerial search

Chelsea sit ninth in the Premier League and face uncertainty over European qualification heading into the final weeks. Off the pitch, the club is seeking a new manager after two changes this season, with summer planning set to shape their next steps.

City now pivot to the last two league fixtures with the title finely poised, while Chelsea turn to squad planning and their managerial search once the league season concludes.