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Among Manchester City supporters, this FA Cup final will forever be remembered as the 'Semenyo Final'—and rightly so. The match desperately needed a spark of quality as it drifted towards extra time, with Chelsea appearing to have the upper hand. Then came Antoine Semenyo’s moment of magic. Ironically, he could have been on the opposite side, as Chelsea once considered signing him back in 2019 during his Bristol City days.

After missing a clear-headed chance earlier in the second half, Semenyo made amends in spectacular fashion. He produced a delicate flick to guide Erling Haaland’s clever cutback beyond Robert Sanchez’s dive, finishing with a backheel into the bottom corner that sent City fans into raptures. The goal was a fitting highlight to a remarkable season for the 26-year-old, who has now lifted two trophies since joining City from Bournemouth in January and crossed the 20-goal mark this campaign.

For Chelsea, reaching the FA Cup final offered a glimmer of hope in an otherwise turbulent season. Yet this defeat added to the frustration of the club’s owners, BlueCo. The final represented their last opportunity to rescue something tangible from a disappointing campaign and potentially secure European football for 2026–27. Instead, they remain ninth in the Premier League with two matches left to play.

Before kick-off, a section of Chelsea supporters voiced their frustration with the ownership, holding banners reading: “BlueCo OUT! We want our Chelsea back.” The protests reflected growing dissatisfaction over four years of perceived mismanagement, questionable transfer decisions, and managerial instability. The pressure now mounts on the board to appoint a permanent replacement for Liam Rosenior, whose brief tenure lasted less than four months. Xabi Alonso is widely expected to take over, a move that could help lift the gloom surrounding the club.

Despite Chelsea’s defeat, Levi Colwill stood out under the Wembley arch. The young defender, watched closely by England manager Thomas Tuchel, delivered an assured display in just his third appearance of the 2025–26 season after recovering from a serious ACL injury. Reports suggest Tuchel is set to include Colwill in his provisional 55-man World Cup squad—a decision that seems entirely justified based on this performance. The 23-year-old might yet earn a late ticket to North America.

For City, Omar Marmoush endured another forgettable FA Cup final. After missing a penalty in the 2025 loss to Crystal Palace, the forward struggled again here. Pep Guardiola’s choice to deploy him as a No.10 behind Haaland didn’t pay off, as Chelsea effectively neutralised City’s attack in the first half. Marmoush was replaced at half-time by Rayan Cherki, who immediately offered more creativity and balance. The Egyptian’s subdued display may raise further doubts about his future at the club.

Bernardo Silva, playing his last final for City, was once again outstanding in midfield. Having transitioned from a forward role to a tireless box-to-box presence, the Portuguese star worked relentlessly and played a key part in the decisive goal—threading a sharp pass to Haaland, whose pullback allowed Semenyo to finish with flair. This triumph marked Silva’s 16th major trophy in his nine glittering years at the club, though it may not be his last before his contract ends.

While the final offered flashes of excitement—most notably Semenyo’s stunning winner—it was far from a classic. Chelsea’s cautious approach in the first half kept City at bay but produced a cagey contest. The second half opened up as the Blues chased the game, creating a more engaging spectacle, but ultimately, Semenyo’s moment of brilliance was the defining act of a final that will be remembered for one extraordinary strike rather than a memorable match as a whole.