Antoine Semenyo on his knees and points to the sky in celebration after scoring for Manchester City
Antoine Semenyo on his knees in celebration; Chelsea struggled to get off the ground all match.
Chelsea 3-4-2-1
Robert Sánchez Point-blank save from Haaland near break showed the goalkeeper’s concentration. Helpless to repel Semenyo’s wrong-footing finish for the winner. 6
Wesley Fofana Unruffled before the break in largely uneventful 45 minutes, the Frenchman made a late intervention to prevent a second for City. 5
Levi Colwill The marshaller of Chelsea’s rearguard trio as the middle man, Colwill was made a patsy by Semenyo’s cunning finish. Unfortunate. 5
Jorrel Hato After stamping on Silva, Chelsea’s second youngest player to start an FA Cup final was denied a 76th-minute penalty for Khusanov’s barge. 5
Malo Gusto Had to shepherd Doku – a difficult task – and a vicious cross that forced Nunes to clear was followed by little else. 5
Reece James Quiet all afternoon and the captain’s error nearly cost a goal as it let Haaland in. 4
Moisés Caicedo Disappointing. Mopped up when needed but, as with the west London side overall, was barely a factor. 4
Marc Cucurella Booked for scything down Semenyo, the left-wingback kept Kushanov alert on occasion but faded and was substituted. 5
Chelsea’s Reece James remonstrates with Darren England as Moisés Caicedo looks on.
Chelsea’s Reece James (left) remonstrates with Darren England as Moisés Caicedo looks on.
Cole Palmer Worked back to help team and lit up anodyne first half with a mazy run but as Chelsea’s alpha forward contributed little. 5
Enzo Fernández Threaded pass was a whisker from playing in João Pedro. Booked, and missed a chance to equalise soon after City’s strike. 5
João Pedro Spurned chance to score when breaking free, and denied a penalty when Khusanov challenged him. Taken off near the end. 6
Substitutes: Pedro Neto (Cucarella 72) Trafford saved his late shot 6; Liam Delap (James 83) n/a; Alejandro Garnacho (João Pedro 85) Scant time to affect contest n/a.
Manchester City 4-2-3-1
James Trafford Little to do until clutching a João Pedro delivery then endured a shaky moment when giving a corner away due to miscontrol on 53 minutes. 6
Matheus Nunes Pace allowed him to snuff out Cucurella’s thrust down his right-back corridor, but was a yard offside when setting up Haaland for a disallowed goal. 6
Abdukodir Khusanov Shaky. Tussled with João Pedro, ceded possession and escaped a Chelsea shout for a first-half penalty. Booked. 5
Marc Guéhi Looked to link with attack and made a vital stooping header. Claims Cup for second consecutive year after leading Palace here 12 months ago. 7
Nico O’Reilly Left-back was quiet before second-half improvement, standing the ball up for Semenyo’s headed chance. 7
Bernardo Silva Felt force of two-footed Fernández tackle but smart defensive work allowed clearing header of a menacing Palmer cross. Stamped on by Hato. 7
Rodri Surprise start after a month out, was smooth as always, and headed Caicedo’s goalbound effort out. Replaced on 65 minutes. 6
Antoine Semenyo watches the ball fly past Robert Sánchez.
Antoine Semenyo watches the ball fly past Robert Sánchez. Photograph: JasonPix/Shutterstock
Antoine Semenyo What a sublime backheeled winner. Misplaced cross was followed by aimless left-foot attempt and missed second-half header before he seized the glory. 8
Omar Marmoush Oddly preferred to Cherki, he contributed nothing in forward zones. Replaced by Cherki at the break. 4
Jérémy Doku Forceful runs swerving in from the right were a collector’s item in a muted, uncharacteristic display from the Belgian. 5
Erling Haaland Stabbed at one effort and sprayed ball over wildly but redeemed himself with assist for Semenyo’s winner. Yet to score at Wembley. 7
Substitutes: Mateo Kovacic (Rodri 64) Steady on introduction 6; Rayan Cherki (Marmoush ht) Bright. Tingled Sánchez’s fingers when blazing at goal 7.