Manchester City’s FA Cup glory: where final against Chelsea was won and lost

It was not quite at the level of not playing Fernandinho or Rodri against Chelsea in the Champions League final in 2021, but Pep Guardiola’s decision to start Omar Marmoush over Rayan Cherki was certainly an unexpected call. Pushed high and told to operate alongside Erling Haaland, Marmoush struggled to make an impact. The Egypt forward’s positioning was off, disrupting the connection between City’s midfield and attack. They lacked a link player, making it easy for Chelsea to absorb pressure during the first half of a disappointing final, and it was not a surprise when Guardiola replaced Marmoush with Cherki at half-time.

Even then there was still no sign of an improvement from City at the start of the second half. Chelsea grew into the game after a nervous start and there were times when they looked the likelier winners. Calum McFarlane, the interim head coach taking charge of only his sixth game in senior football, had come up trumps by deploying a back three. Reece James and Moisés Caicedo were strong in midfield. The wing-backs, Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella, defended well and caused problems. City grew edgy. Nico O’Reilly looked vulnerable at left-back and Chelsea had some joy against Guardiola’s high line. João Pedro played on the shoulder of the last man and led the line well before tiring during the latter stages.

They showed some pride at Wembley but Chelsea will still finish a chaotic season empty handed. A lack of conviction in the final third was their undoing in the end. João Pedro scuffed a decent chance in the first half and Caicedo had a header cleared off the line. Enzo Fernández volleyed over moments after City went ahead and while there were a few flashes from Cole Palmer, his decision-making was below par. Ultimately City found that crucial dash of class through Antoine Semenyo’s late winner, although Chelsea will look back on a few refereeing decisions and wonder if they should have had at least one penalty. Abdukodir Khusanov, a defender who does not know how to hold back, certainly strayed close to the line with a couple of shoulder barges on Jorrel Hato and João Pedro in the area. McFarlane fumed when Darren England waved both appeals away.

The frustration for McFarlane is that his side did almost everything right. Chelsea doubled up on Jérémy Doku and a back three of Hato, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana worked to smother Haaland. City were erratic in possession. Rodri, a doubt before the final, did not look 100% in midfield, leaving Bernardo Silva isolated. Yet Silva, who is leaving at the end of the season, was determined not to end up on the losing side in his last appearance for City in a final. The captain scrapped and fought. Silva did not have his best game but the 31-year-old has won almost everything at club level and his desire was impressive. Chelsea, such a young team, lacked the know-how to get the job done. They need to bring in some experience this summer. Guardiola, after all, had a proven winner to bring on for a weary Rodri. City were more sure of themselves following the introduction of Mateo Kovacic in the 65th minute. They soon led.

It was a brilliant goal; one of the best in Cup final history. It had been a difficult afternoon for Haaland. The striker had few sights of goal, is still to score at Wembley and did not have much involvement in general play. But with Chelsea’s forwards short of decisiveness, Haaland showed them how to seize the initiative in a big game. He was alive to the possibilities when the ball broke loose in midfield. Rumbling forward, he ran on to a pass from Silva and pulled a cross back for Semenyo to score with a Kanu-esque backheel in the 72nd minute. What a skilful finish. What a signing. Semenyo was off the pace for long spells. The winger sent one shot out for a throw in the first half but he kept going and earned his reward. Chelsea, who briefly considered entering the race to sign Semenyo from Bournemouth in January, were breached at last. City can look back on £65m well spent. It was a goal the game did not deserve, but did Semenyo care? Not likely. He has already won two trophies since joining City and more will surely follow.