Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 to win an eighth FA Cup title and their second trophy of the season.
In a tense encounter at Wembley, Antoine Semenyo’s genius flick in the 72nd minute was the difference.
Chelsea huffed and puffed, but couldn’t muster a response, and Pep Guardiola’s side added to their Carabao Cup triumph in March.
Daily Mail Sport’s KIERAN GILL AND JACK GAUGHAN were at Wembley and they have rated both sets of players below.
Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday to win an eighth FA Cup title
Antoine Semenyo’s genius flick in the 72nd minute of the match was the difference
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Robert Sanchez – 6
Wearing a Petr Cech-style helmet, denied Erling Haaland his first-half opener, but there was no stopping Antoine Semenyo’s fabulous flick. A few smart saves otherwise.
Wesley Fofana – 5.5
Was a worry for Chelsea, the lack of tracking of City’s runners. Sometimes left Fofana scrambling to catch up as this final’s winners often sneaked behind him.
Levi Colwill – 6.5
One line-breaking pass drew audible appreciation from the fans inside Wembley, it was that good. Was closest to Semenyo for his opener, but wasn’t to blame, as it was simply a super finish.
Jorrel Hato – 6.5
Exhausting sprint from one end to the other led to yet another Chelsea penalty claim, but referee Darren England was never interested. Impressive overall with his tackling.
Malo Gusto – 5.5
Facing Jeremy Doku, he had help coming from various team-mates, not least Fofana and Palmer. We wouldn’t want to face Doku alone either. But added nothing in attacks.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Was glad Matheus Nunes had drifted offside when he burst behind him to set up Haaland’s disallowed tap-in. Wasn’t glad Rodri was on City’s goal line to head clear his header.
Reece James – 6
Robbed of possession by Haaland early on as Chelsea failed to play from the back, but City’s striker skewed that shot. Lasted 83 minutes on his first start since March 14.
Reece James worked hard in what his first start for Chelsea in more than two months
Levi Colwill is also not long back from injury and he battled hard against City’s attackers
Marc Cucurella – 5
Relentless running on Chelsea’s left wing, though unlike last weekend at Liverpool, was more defensive-minded here. Cautioned for hacking down Semenyo, who was a problem.
Cole Palmer – 4.5
He did his defensive work, dropping deep to help when City were threatening, but the biggest issue is he rarely looked like impacting play at the other end. Another match passes him by.
Enzo Fernandez – 5
One full-blooded challenge on Bernardo Silva saw him jump up to celebrate winning the ball so robustly, only to receive a yellow for the risk it posed.
Joao Pedro – 5.5
Hoped for a penalty after Abdukodir Khusanov barged into him in the first half, and again after another coming-together in the second. Got nothing out of the match officials here.
Joao Pedro was relentless in his workrate and he had two penalty shouts turned down
But Cole Palmer was ineffective and rarely looked threatening as another game passed him by
SUBS
Pedro Neto (for Cucurella, 74) – 5.5
Introduced immediately after City opened the scoring. Chelsea finally having a winger on the pitch did not help, however.
Liam Delap (for James, 83) – N/A
Alejandro Garnacho (for Joao Pedro, 86) – N/A
Man City (4-4-2)
James Trafford – 6.5
Came to sweep up with no problems. One mistake at a corner but a stable afternoon otherwise.
Matheus Nunes – 6.5
Up and down day. Some lapses of concentration but recovered well in some dangerous situations.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 7.5
Strong interception to thwart Enzo Fernandez and an unbelievable cover run to halt Pedro. Chelsea wanted two penalties from collisions involving him.
Marc Guehi – 8
Top block to deny Pedro in the first half. Played with more authority than he has in recent weeks and passed the ball nicely.
Marc Guehi put in a brilliant display as he won his second FA Cup final in the past two seasons
James Trafford enjoyed a relatively stable afternoon in front of England boss Thomas Tuchel
Nico O’Reilly – 7
Final ball not as precise as usual but defended resolutely and still posed a threat as City built from the back.
Antoine Semenyo – 8.5
Genius goal and always capable of producing magic moments. Supreme skill and that defined the cup final.
Bernardo Silva – 7.5
Last final at City and went about it with the usual vigour and competitive spirit. Enjoyed greater influence later on.
Rodri – 6.5
One smart header off the line to spare Trafford’s blushes at a corner. Clearly not fit enough and lasted just over an hour.
Jeremy Doku – 6.5
Chelsea did a decent job of subduing the winger but Doku wisely used himself as a decoy for others to attack spaces.
Erling Haaland – 8
Asked to operate in a deeper No 10 role and integral in the winning goal. Linked nicely off the front without many chances.
Erling Haaland didn’t score, but he played an integral role in Semenyo’s winning goal
Semenyo’s winner was a piece of genius. He is always capable of producing magic moments
Omar Marmoush – 5
Going with two up front didn’t work. Bar one half chance, Marmoush just couldn’t get into the game at all.
Subs
Rayan Cherki (for Marmoush, 46) – 6.5
Mateo Kovacic (for Rodri, 65) – 6
Manager: Pep Guardiola – 7
Big call to play an unfit Rodri and made a decisive decision at half time to alter the shape, eventually adding a 17th major trophy to his City cabinet.
