Manchester City won the FA Cup after Antoine Semenyo struck a second half winner against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. Semenyo, signed from Bournemouth in a big-money January move, hit his tenth goal in a City shirt in style with a sumptuous backheeled finish from Erling Haaland’s cutback in the 72nd minute.
It means that Pep Guardiola’s side have now won both the Carabao and the FA Cups in their pursuit of a domestic treble this term. Man City's focus will now turn back to the Premier League title race, where they trail Arsenal by two points with two games to play. They travel to Bournemouth on Tuesday for their penultimate match of the campaign, and the Gunners host Burnley on Monday night.
For Chelsea, it is now a seventh successive domestic cup final in a row and their hopes of qualifying for Europe next season are now hanging by a thread ? Follow the FA Cup final back below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Sam Tabuteau at Wembley Stadium.
Chelsea vs Man City highlights
- GOAL! Semenyo puts Man City ahead with brilliant finish
- NO GOAL! Haaland denied by offside flag
That's it!
17:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThank you for joining us for coverage of the FA Cup final. More reaction follows over on Standard.co.uk.
FA Cup final LIVE
17:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
FA Cup final LIVE
17:28 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnother trophy for Pep Guardiola. Is he the greatest manager ever?
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— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 16, 2026
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20 trophies as our boss. Pep Guardiola. 🐐
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
17:26 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere are Sam Tabuteau’s immediate thoughts on the FA Cup final.
🗣 "For a club of Chelsea's stature, to end the season on that note seems really disappointing."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) May 16, 2026
@tabuteauS gives his thoughts on the FA Cup final.
LIVE: https://t.co/o0XY9u2Ruz#CHEMCI | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/XPfxhsEEew
FA Cup final LIVE
17:19 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the trophy lift moment...
FA Cup final LIVE
17:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt’s a double trophy lift for Man City as Bernardo Silva and John Stones hoist the FA Cup!
Chelsea player ratings
17:14 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLevi Colwill 7: Included in England’s preliminary squad, his line-breaking passes helped Chelsea bisect City’s press in the first-half. Not much he could have done to stop Semenyo.
Jorrel Hato 7: Did well given the pressure City put Chelsea under in the first-half. Defended maturely but also had the energy to get up in support of Marc Cucurella and later Pedro Neto.
Malo Gusto 7: Constantly provided an option in behind and was Chelsea’s main attacking outlet in the first-half. Did not have the same impact after the break.
Reece James 5: Nearly allowed Haaland to score midway through the first-half after being dispossessed. Produced a few excellent deliveries, with Chelsea mainly threatening when they were able to cross into the box.
Click here for our Chelsea player ratings!
FA Cup final LIVE
17:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere come Man City, lead by Pep Guardiola.
FA Cup final LIVE
17:06 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea players are making their way up those Wembley steps to collect their runners-up medals.
FA Cup final LIVE
17:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBernardo Silva reacts to Man City’s FA Cup final win by saying the Premier League title dream is not over.
City go to Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
Fan reaction
17:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMan City win 1-0 against Chelsea for the FA Cup Final.🏆To be fair, it wasn't the most entertaining match. #FACup #CHEMCI
— Kevin Astley (@kevtheman10) May 16, 2026
Fan thoughts
17:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneKhusanov x Guehi had a solid game for Man City, in generally a low quality final, aside of the quality finish from Semenyo #CHEMCI #FACupFinal
— Mahfuz🤙🏽 (@MahfuzCOYI16) May 16, 2026
Fan reaction
17:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne#FaCupFinal #CHEMCI didn't deserve that the lads played really well better side for large parts referee was terrible. 0-1
— Ben Church (@ChurchieBoy1986) May 16, 2026
FA Cup final LIVE
16:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBy no means was it a classic but Antoine Semenyo’s goal is a worthy cup final winner.
What a finish from Antoine Semenyo! 🔥
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 16, 2026
His cheeky flick gives Man City the lead in the FA Cup final ⚽✨ pic.twitter.com/50Sg5ksG82
FULL-TIME!
16:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea 0-1 Man City
MANCHESTER CITY WIN THE FA CUP!
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+4 min: Haaland is furious with Cherki. He was in acres of space in the box and was ignored. By the time the ball got to him, it was too late.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+3 min: Time is running out for Chelsea, they need to get the ball forward. Can they create one last chance?
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+2 min: Caicedo booked and Man City will eat up precious time from this free-kick.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: Into five minutes of stoppage time as Delap heads a decent chance over.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: Attendance watch: 83,337.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne86 min: Garnacho, who has history against Man City in FA Cup finals, is on for Joao Pedro. Chelsea have no other choice but to get as many attackers on the pitch as possible.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne85 min: Haaland left frustrated in the middle as O’Reilly’s final pass is poor, credit to Caicedo for getting back.
Chelsea then get a huge slice of luck as Sanchez deflects a shot from Nunes onto the post.
Sanchez then saves from Cherki.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: Chelsea change sees Delap replace James.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne81 min: Joao Pedro is down for Chelsea. He attempted to close down Guehi and slipped, seems to have done some damage.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne79 min: Patient play from Chelsea as they work the ball to Neto in a good position but his attempt his beaten away by Trafford.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne77 min: It’s all getting frantic here. At one end, O’Reilly messes up the final pass and then Hato wants a penalty after a coming together with Khusanov.
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
16:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt was always going to take a moment of magic to break the deadlock and who else but Semenyo. The City winger has been threatening to score all afternoon and his impudent little flick is just delightful. Chelsea had been starting to grow in confidence as well.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
16:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: WOW!
Almost an immediate response from Chelsea but Fernandez can’t keep his effort underneath the bar.
Neto on for Cucurella.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Man City | Antoine Semenyo ‘72
16:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne72 min: GOALLLLL
A special goal from Antoine Semenyo to break the deadlock in the FA Cup final!
Improvised finish from the forward to turn Erling Haaland's cross home. Brilliant.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Couple decisions not going Chelsea’s way and it beginning to frustrate supporters and players.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne68 min: Cherki’s cross to the back post is kept in play by Guehi but Sanchez is there first to claim the ball, but Man City are able to keep the pressure on as Semenyo wins a corner off Cucurella.
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
16:26 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA frosty reception from the Chelsea fans for Mateo Kovacic. He famously saw red in controversial fashion as Arsenal beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final in 2020.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne64 min: Here comes the Man City change as Kovacic comes on against his former club, replacing Rodri.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne61 min: Kovacic being called back by Guardiola from his warm-up. Think the Man City manager has had enough, the tide has turned towards Chelsea at the start of the second half.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: More Chelsea penalty claims turned down before James whips in a wonderful cross to the back post but Fofana can’t make contact.
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
16:18 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea's turn to come close now as Caicedo sees his header cleared off the line by Rodri. It has not quite been the titanic battle we were expecting between these two, but they trade blows there as Chelsea get a rare sight of goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: Khusanov into the book for clipping Cucurella.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne54 min: Lapse in concentration from Trafford gifts Chelsea a corner out of nothing. James swings the ball in but Trafford and then Rodri deal with the set-piece.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne52 min: Doku goes over in the box, City ask the question of a penalty but are told no.
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
16:09 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCherki almost makes an immediate impact as he finds O'Reilly, whose cross is headed over by Semenyo. This game needs a spark and it may just have found it with Cherki.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne48 min: Cherki’s first involvement is to pick out O’Reilly on the edge of the box and he dinks in a great cross to the back post but Semenyo can’t keep his header down.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: News of the half-time Man City change as Marmoush has made way for Cherki, who was superb in the second half against Chelsea last month.
KICK-OFF!
16:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway in the FA Cup final!
Pep Guardiola has turned to his bench.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
16:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRayan Cherki is coming on for Man City!
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
16:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSeems like it will take one moment to settle this, so will go for a where the final was won or lost for Chelsea.
Fan reaction: VAR decision
15:59 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneImagine this kind of officiating in #FAcup final.
— Baba Ire of Nigeria (@iam_fawwaz) May 16, 2026
Poor decision by VAR.
that’s clear Penalty for Chelsea #CheMci
Fan thoughts: Penalty claim
15:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneShould've been a Penalty in my books. Khusanov deliberately hit Joao Pedro down in the box there#CHEMCI
— Ifiok Davids (@Whyiize1) May 16, 2026
Fan reaction: Where Chelsea can improve
15:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLovely half from us but we need to start making them final balls
— Louiso (@Louisoo002) May 16, 2026
Pedro shot
Palmer shot
James cross#CHEMCI#FACUPFINAL
HALF-TIME
15:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea 0-0 Man City
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
15:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea are up in arms as Joao Pedro goes down in the box but that is never a penalty. He went looking for the contact as he knew the ball was getting away from him.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+2 min: We are into three minutes of stoppage time as Joao Pedro goes over in the area and wants a penalty. VAR will check the foul by Khusanov.
On-field decision stands.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne43 min: ON TARGET!
Haaland gets in behind the Chelsea defence but his effort is saved by Sanchez at the near post.
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
15:42 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFor all City's dominance we are still level and Chelsea fans have found their voices again.
Gusto is continually an option in behind, while Colwill's line breaking passes are helping Chelsea get through City's press and up the pitch.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne40 min: Good play by Chelsea down the right as Gusto does well against Guehi but Palmer overhits his cross and Cucurella is unable to bring the ball under control.
Bernardo is then forced to put the ball behind for a corner, Chelsea on top right now.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne36 min: Fernandez feels a slight bit of contact from Nnes and goes down to win Chelsea a free-kick. Timely as City were just stepping things up a notch.
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
15:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSemenyo is growing in confidence here. He knows Cucurella is now on a booking and he will just keep on going at the Chelsea defender from here until the final whistle.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne33 min: Semenyo does so well to trick his way past Cucurella but his shot his wild, goes out for a throw-in which tells you how bad the effort was.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne32 min: The yellow card is out again, this time for Cucurella as he brings down Semenyo who was attempting to lead a Man City attack.
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
15:32 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThat is a nasty tackle from Fernandez. He gets the ball but also gets a lot of the man. So often the player to step up in times of need for Chelsea, they cannot afford to lose him in that sort of fashion. Lucky.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne29 min: Oooh, Fernandez flies into a tackle on Bernardo and that earns him a yellow card.
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
15:29 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneOffside flag denies City and Haaland. Easy decision, Nunes is miles off. Chelsea have been warned, though.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne26 min: GOOA...NOOO!
Erling Haaland has the ball in the back of the net but the goal is disallowed for offside against Nunes.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne25 min: Looks like Caicedo is going to try and continue after rejecting some attention from the Chelsea medical staff.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne24 min: Concern for Chelsea as Caicedo is down and needs treatment.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne23 min: Chelsea try to play out but Man City’s press is too good and James is robbed of the ball but Haaland’s cross is too strong for a team-mate.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne22 min: Chelsea supporters not best pleased as the ball goes all the way back to Sanchez from their own corner.
Joao Pedro is then put clear by Fernandez but second guesses himself and then slips over at the vital moment.
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
15:22 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea come out of their shell as Gusto's cross is headed out for a corner. A nice flowing move from the Blues. The first time Chelsea have threatened all game.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: Great defending from Nunes at the back post as he heads Gusto’s teasing cross behind for a corner with Cucurella lurking.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: A rather over the top reaction from Cucurella for not winning a throw-in. James, the Chelsea captain, is called over the referee to have a word with the Spaniard.
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
15:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSemenyo is the one causing all the issues for City so far. They have had 72% of the ball, but have yet to register a meaningful effort on goal.
Keep giving Semenyo time and space, though, and he will make Chelsea pay sooner or later.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne14 min: Offside flags halts a promising Chelsea attack as Joao Pedro made his run a fraction too soon.
At the other end, Semenyo puts the ball into a dangerous area but Haaland did not gamble at the back post!
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
15:11 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt has been an edgy start to the game, but City are finding more joy in the 50-50s so far.
It has been scrappy from both teams but City are making the early inroads in the final third.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: From the way Semenyo was standing, a spectacular free-kick looked to be on the horizon but he shot straight into the wall.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne7 min: CHANCE!
Semenyo cuts inside and his shot is deflected into the path of Marmoush who tries to flick the ball goalwards but doesn’t get enough on his attempt.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: Cucurella looks to be away down the left but Nunes gets back at the Chelsea defender and wins the ball back with a forceful tackle.
Spaniard getting a taste of his own medicine there.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: Surprise, surprise, it’s Man City who are dominating possession in the early stages but they are yet to create a chance of note.
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
15:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCucurella in a more traditional wing-back role today. The Spaniard played as an out and out winger against Liverpool.
It must be said he is still getting up in support when Chelsea are in possession.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
15:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: Fofana in quick on Doku and wins the ball off the in-form Man City winger. This will be a key battle all afternoon.
KICK-OFF!
15:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAway we go in the FA Cup final!
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
14:59 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRobert Sanchez is wearing a Petr Cech-esque scrum cap on his head. It was 2012 when Cech pulled off a miraculous save to deny Andy Carroll as Chelsea lifted the FA Cup against Liverpool.
The Blues will be hoping for similar heroics from Sanchez today.
Chelsea fans stage new protest against BlueCo before FA Cup final
14:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea supporters staged a protest against the club’s ownership ahead of taking on Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
A handful of disaffected supporters marched on Wembley Way to voice their frustrations with Chelsea’s BlueCo owners.
FA Cup final live
14:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRight then, now for the national anthem!
HERE WE GO!
14:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams are out at the Wembley.
Kick-off is next!
Chelsea vs Man City live
14:52 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams are in the tunnel!
Abide With Me
14:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAbide With Me - the FA Cup's traditional hymn - has just been performed by the Bantam of the Opera, a choir of Bradford City fans.
The gaffers
14:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCalum McFarlane has faced Pep Guardiola once before and emerged with a credible 1-1 draw....
Both managers are in the building 🏟️
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 16, 2026
All set for the #EmiratesFACup Final, who will come out on top? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/auKGASK8Cn
No Cherki
14:47 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePep Guardiola has explained his decision to start Omar Marmoush instead of Rayan Cherki in the FA Cup final.
“When you have all the squad and have to leave six players out, it's always tough. Of course it is tough.
“We need certain movements and we believe Omar is special with that."
Kick-off approaching at Wembley
14:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 minutes to go until kick-off in the FA Cup final.
Fan reaction: James back for Chelsea
14:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneReece James STARTS for Chelsea in the FA Cup final… ✅ pic.twitter.com/2OY6YCwwcJ
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) May 16, 2026
Fan thoughts: Cherki absence
14:36 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNo Cherki or Foden. Who's going to create the chances?
— Jonas (@JonasMcfc) May 16, 2026
Fan reaction: No Cherki
14:33 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDidn’t expect Marmoush to start over Cherki but I guess Pep has a plan that justifies this decision
— Real Talk Manchester City (@RealTalkMCFC) May 16, 2026
Sam Tabuteau at Wembley
14:33 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSam Tabuteau has set the scene at Wembley ahead of kick-off in the FA Cup final.
🗣 "I overheard a couple of City fans saying they were sick of coming back here.
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) May 16, 2026
"A handful of Chelsea fans, meanwhile, staged a protest on Wembley Way against the club's board."
@tabuteauS sets the scene ahead of the FA Cup final.
LIVE: https://t.co/o0XY9u2Ruz#CHEMCI |… pic.twitter.com/HI7SRknOOr
Team news reminder
14:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how both teams will line-up for the FA Cup final...
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Fofana, Colwill, Hato, Gusto, James, Caicedo, Cucurella, Palmer, Fernandez, Joao Pedro.
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Tosin, Chalobah, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Neto, Garnacho, Delap
Man City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo (C), Semenyo, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland
Substitutes: Donnarumma, Dias, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Cherki, Savinho, Foden
Man City changes
14:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRodri earns an immediate recall after missing the last five games with a groin injury.
Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Nico O'Reilly are also back but Rayan Cherki is only on the bench.
Chelsea changes
14:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea are boosted by the return of Robert Sanchez for the FA Cup final as Reece James also starts.
Looks like the Blues captain will be in midfield this afternoon.
Man City team in full
14:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMan City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Semenyo, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland
Substitutes: Donnarumma, Dias, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Cherki, Savinho, Foden
Chelsea team in full
14:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea XI: Sanchez, Fofana, Colwill, Hato, Gusto, James, Caicedo, Cucurella, Palmer, Fernandez, Joao Pedro.
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Tosin, Chalobah, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Neto, Garnacho, Delap
CONFIRMED MAN CITY TEAM NEWS
14:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLining up for Man City this afternoon...
Your FA Cup final line-up! 💪🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 16, 2026
XI | Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo (C), Semenyo, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Donnarumma, Dias, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Cherki, Savinho, Foden
🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/VmKbV57Pr0
CONFIRMED CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
14:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Chelsea team selected by Calum McFarlane for the FA Cup final...
Lining up for Chelsea! 💪#CFC | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/1IllsmOwHc
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 16, 2026
Chelsea vs Man City LIVE - team news imminent
13:57 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams will be announced shortly!
Stay tuned...
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