CUP DOUBLE: Man City crowned FA Cup champs

Manchester City clinched the Emirates FA Cup after a narrow 1-0 win over Chelsea in the final at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Fixture: Chelsea vs Manchester CityScore: 0-1Goalscorers: Semenyo (72')

The Cityzens came in the match with their tails up after brushing off Crystal Palace in the Premier League, as the Blues looked for their first win under interim manager Callum McFarlane having held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield last Saturday.

City had the ball in the net three minutes ahead of the half-hour mark with a tap-in by Erling Haaland following a low cross by Matheus Nunes, but it was chalked off for offside as the fullback had made a run too early.

Haaland probed again a minute to halftime amidst the decent spell from Chelsea and found a chance from the inside-left of the area following a teasing pass, but Robert Sanchez was able to make a save.

After an underwhelming first half, the Blues made strong start to the second half as a corner-kick from Reece James floated around in the air and landed onto Moses Caicedo who nodded goal-wards only for Rodri to clear off the line.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner didn’t finish the match after the Cityzens boss Pep Guardiola opted to remove in the middle of the second half and brought on former Chelsea man Mateo Kovacic.

City gained courage inside the remaining 20 minutes and took the lead when Haaland came deep in midfield, played a loose ball forward to Bernardo Silva who then played the reverse pass to the Norwegian to cutback for Semenyo to apply a back-heel finish.

Argentine international Enzo Fernandez, who have been arguably been the main bright spart for the Blues this season, almost had an instant response to going behind when he volleyed a flick-on by Levy Colwill from a long-throw onto the roof of the net.

The Blues didn’t provide any decent threats thereafter and the Cityzens held onto their slender lead to claim the cup and their second piece of silverware for the season.