Manchester Cityclinched a domestic double as Antoine Semenyoswept away the only goal of the game in the FA Cupfinal against Chelseain the second half of the action at Wembley Stadium.
City came into this battle as the firm favourites, and their winter signing was a key protagonist in pushing the issue at the early stages of the contest. A former Cityzens player tried to hit back in his own way for the Blues, but there was little genuine quality to mention for either outfit in the first 45.
Chelseacame into their most convincing phase of the affair before the hour without finding the finishing touch required. In the end, Semenyo settled the score with an inventive backheel finish, and the response from the opposition illustrated why they have continued to struggle in the new year.
Story of the Match
Calum McFarlanefelt largely happy with the lineup he used in a 1-1 draw against Liverpoollast Saturday, making only two changes. Robert Sanchezsuffered a nasty collision with Morgan Gibbs-Whiteagainst Nottingham Forestat the start of the month, and he was back for this game with protective gear on his head. Reece Jamesjoined the midfield pivot, partnering with Moises Caicedo, so Malo Gustoand Wesley Fofanafilled the two places on the right side of the defensive unit.
Pep Guardiolahad kept several players in reserve for this fixture. James Traffordtook the place of Gianluigi Donnarummaas the shot stopper, and Josko Gvardiolgave way to Nico O’Reillyat left back. Rodrireturned from a groin injury to feature next to Bernardo Silvain the middle of the park.Erling Haaland and Jeremy Dokuwere selected after receiving rest in midweek against Crystal Palace, but Rayan Cherkicontinued to sit on the bench as Omar Marmoushmaintained his spot.
Marmoush had entered this fixture off the back of goals against Brentfordand Crystal Palacein the last seven days, and with the pain of a penalty miss against the Eagles in the FA Cupfinal last year. He was given the first notable opening of the afternoon, smartly spinning away from dark blue shirts as Semenyo’s shift-and-shoot took their attention. However, his attempted flick barely tested Sanchez.
Semenyo continued to set the tone for the Cityzens. A free-kick from range was smothered by the wall, but his impact was being felt in open play. A flat delivery to the far post was not gambled upon by any sky-blue shirts, then he slipped the underlapping Nunes behind the backline. The fullback found Haaland at the back stick for a tap-in, but he had strayed offside, letting Chelseaoff the hook.
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Gradually, the Blues built up a little more momentum. Cole Palmerput himself about industriously against his former club, and he was responsible for instigating several sequences with progression and purpose. But the quality around the box was missing, and Abdukodir Khusanovcontinued to sweep up problems, crunching with impunity into a challenge on Joao Pedroafter Bernardo lost possession.
Haaland had also paced down the left channel to create his first serious shooting attempt to try to test Sanchez as the break approached, but this niggly encounter had few moments of magic to remember.
At the start of the second half, Guardiola made one alteration. He pulled off Marmoush, and Cherki came in for him. Under two minutes after the restart, a faulty touch from Fofana allowed Doku to drift inwards and find the substitute, who shuffled away from Colwill to feed the left. O’Reilly hung up the ball to the far post, where Semenyo leapt over Jorrel Hato, but he could not keep his header down.
The Blues battled back impressively. A lapse of concentration from Trafford handed them a corner, and from the second phase of the set-piece, Caicedo climbed highest to trouble the City goal. Though Rodricleaned up the mess, the threat persisted from the underdogs for the following few minutes.
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Cucurella earned a free kick from a channel duel with Khusanov, and Caicedo tangled up with Doku. Neither that incident nor a blasted ball onto the tucked arm of O’Reilly would be rewarded with a penalty, but a short corner taken to James let the ball find Fofana, whose header was wayward.
Guardiola decided to turn to his bench, bringing on Mateo Kovacicas a Rodrireplacement around the hour mark. The clash hung in the balance, and a moment of quality would make the difference.
Hato attempted to break up an attack, but the ball broke for Haaland, who spun with the play out to the right flank, and he had the chance to put a cutback into the danger zone. Semenyo slipped into a central position, pivoted to poke the ball with his heel, and sent it nestling into the bottom corner.
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Chelseawould not crumble. A Cucurella throw-in followed immediately after the goal; Colwill won the first ball and his flick-on found its way to Enzo, whose effort ended up on the top of the net.
Then O’Reilly ran onto a through ball from Doku, and his failed cutback allowed Hato to lead a counterattack. He marauded forward on the inside left channel, breaking into the box before he tumbled under pressure from Khusanov. The referee decided not to award anything to the Blues.
Pedro Netohad replaced Cucurella in the 74th minute, trying to bring more offensive impetus. However, his quality of final action could not match up with the threat he posed with his pace. Similarly, Gusto was errant in the final third, and the introduction of Liam Delapdid not inspire confidence that Chelseawould have the individual ability on the field to pick apart the opposition.
City could have taken the contest away from their opponents. Cherki slipped the ball into the run of Nunes, whose cutback deflected onto the post, then Sanchez saved a firm strike from the ten.
Alejandro Garnachostepped in for Delap, but there would be no answer to the Semenyo strike. For their part, the Cityzens continued to pass up opportunities, most notably an injury time transition where Cherki served away from Haaland, but they would not be denied a domestic double of cups.