Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley as Pep Guardiola won yet another trophy with the Blues.
Pep Guardiola celebrates City's FA Cup win
Pep Guardiola celebrates City's FA Cup win
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If this is to be Pep Guardiola's last Wembley appearance then what a fitting way to finish.
There is a growing expectation that Guardiola will leave Manchester City in the summer, something the Catalan has had ample opportunity to clarify outright but hasn't, instead using the 'one more year of my contract' line to deflect and disguise.
It was 1992 when Guardiola's love affair with Wembley began. The then 21-year-old started for Barcelona as they beat Sampdoria to win the European Cup. It was a seismic moment for both Barca and a young Guardiola and since that day 34 years ago the City boss has returned more times than he can probably count.
But since that early 90s evening, he has always had an affinity and a love for the place. Trophies help, of course. Saturday was City's 24th visit to Wembley under Guardiola (excluding games against Tottenham when Spurs were tenants) and an 11th trophy from 15 attempts. No wonder the City boss talks up the stadium and joked in the build-up about having a stand named after him at the home of football
"At least a lounge or a box or something like that," he laughed. "It’s a special place, definitely."
Pep Guardiola of Barcelona celebrates the victory with the trophy after the UEFA Champions League 1992 match between Barcelona and Sampdoria at Wembley Stadium on 20 May 1992
Pep Guardiola celebrates with the European Cup after helping Barcelona beat Sampdoria in the 1992 final
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It was special again on Saturday. Guardiola, dressed in his best white polo neck on cup final day, loves it in this north west corner of the capital. But he was all business ahead of kick off when leading his team out and going through the pre-match rituals.
The boss was calm for the opening quarter, standing stoically in his technical area. But as the game began to come to life so did Guardiola. He roared his approval as City got bodies back to quell a Joao Pedro threat, and threw his arms aloft when Erling Haaland wasted an opportunity shortly afterwards.
An injury to Moises Caicedo then allowed Guardiola to call all XI players over for an impromptu team talk and some tactical discussion. Even James Trafford came forward from his goal to listen to the instructions with Omar Marmoush, Antoine Semenyo, Haaland and Jeremy Doku lingering longer as Guardiola made his attacking point.
Moments later Marmoush played the ball across for Haaland to tap in only for the offside flag to go up. Guardiola had tentatively celebrated before seeing the flag and grimacing. Another break in play saw him call Haaland and Marmoush over again and his issues with the attacking cohesion were clear enough for him to replace the Egyptian with Rayan Cherki at the break.
City were second best in the second half until they found the breakthrough thanks to Semenyo's exquisite, instinctive and nonchalant flick. Guardiola celebrated in reserved fashion, in contrast to Gianluigi Donnarumma who was off the bench and nearly over the hoardings as he cheered the goal.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaks to his players during an injury break during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Manchester City
Pep Guardiola addresses his players during the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Chelsea
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It's been noticeable at times in recent weeks how vigorously Guardiola has celebrated goals and victories, none more so than the Carabao Cup success over Arsenal on this very turf in March. But this time he took the opportunity to speak to Abdukodir Khusanov.
As Chelsea sought a response, Guardiola was frantic, he had to be pulled back by fourth official Sam Barrott after encroaching onto the pitch in a bid to pass a message on to Bernardo Silva and spent much of the last 10 minutes hopping around his technical area, seemingly unable to stand still.
The final whistle brought a Poznan in the City end but while the celebrations began among the fans, Guardiola was calm. There was a hug and a handshake for Calum McFarlane and a congratularory pat for matchwinner Semenyo.
Guardiola then made a beeline for Cherki, giving him a long hug and exchanging more than a few words with the half time replacement. He cuddled his captain, with Bernardo having spent a few minutes taking in the City end in what is his final Wembley appearance for the club.
There was no such clear message about future intentions from Guardiola though. As the players celebrated, many of whom were winning this competition for the first time, the boss held back. He has seen scenes like this countless times before.
'We've got Guardiola' chanted the City fans as the Blues made their way up to the Royal Box to lift the trophy. For how much longer remains to be seen.