Five Things Learned: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City (FA Cup Final) | OneFootball

Manchester City battled hard to lift the FA Cup by coming on top in a tight final against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday evening.

This was the fourth consecutive appearance in the final stage of the competition for Pep Guardiola‘s side, with the team losing the previous two. The first-half was a cagey affair with no clear-cut chances for either side, with the highlight being an Erling Haaland tap-in that was ruled offside.

The second-half progressed in similar fashion until a moment of fantastic quality from Antoine Semenyo broke the deadlock. Haaland turned provider, firing a cross into the box along the ground and the winger sent it into the far corner with a magnificent back-heel.

City continued to have good chances as the game closed out but failed to add to their slender advantage, which proved enough to win the FA Cup final.

Here are five things we learned from Manchester City‘s second cup triumph of the season at Wembley:

1. Two finals, two trophies

No matter what happens in the final two games of the season regarding the Premier League title race, Manchester City have had a great season.

Following the disappointments of the last campaign, Guardiola’s side have bounced back in style, picking up two major trophies and still in with a shout for a third.

Managing to make it to both Wembley finals this season, City followed up their Carabao Cup triumph in March with a well-earned FA Cup victory.

Winning these two cups should not be understated, especially given that the Mancunian side had lost the previous two FA Cup finals.

All in all, it’s yet another Wembley success for Guardiola and co, reinforcing an imperious record for his time in England.

2. We love Semenyo, just the way you are!

It is safe to say that Semenyo was having a great 2025-26 season already at Bournemouth, with plenty of goals for the Cherries.

Yet since moving to Manchester City in January, the Ghanaian has managed to raise his game to a new level, despite being in a completely new team.

Semenyo has popped up so many important times already in his five months at the club, and on the biggest of occasions, he did it again.

A sumptuous back-heel from Haaland’s assist delighted the City faithful at Wembley and was a firm reminder of what a fantastic signing the 26-year-old has already been.

There’s a reason why there are already several terrace chants dedicated to Semenyo and we really do love him, just the way he is.

3. Title race confidence boost

City have just two games left of the season, with six points imperative if the Blues wish to usurp Arsenal for the Premier League.

The first of these is away to Bournemouth on Tuesday evening, which represents a very tough challenge given that the Cherries haven’t lost at home for four months.

City’s FA Cup triumph is exactly what the squad needs heading into the last couple of high-pressure matches with everything on the line.

There is no denying that Guardiola’s men would need a slip-up from Arsenal to get one hand back on the league title, given they trail by two points.

However, winning another trophy is an undeniable confidence booster ahead of this final straight, as a loss at Wembley could have seen City thrown off their mojo.

4. Haaland’s Wembley curse continues

There is no debate around whether Haaland is one of the best strikers and overall players on the planet.

The Norwegian has time and time again broken scoring records with a plethora of goals for the various clubs he has played at during his career.

Even at City, while playing in what many regard as the most difficult league in the world, Haaland’s unstoppable flow of goals has continued.

Yet despite this, Haaland has failed to ever score at Wembley, with a goal at England’s national stadium eluding him.

This remained so on Saturday, despite City’s number nine assisting the winner and having a great game overall. Maybe next year, Erling!

5. A silver goodbye to Silva and Stones

Two of Manchester City’s hardest-working servants in recent years are leaving at the end of the season, much to the fans’ upset.

John Stones and Bernardo Silva have been ever-present during the trophy-laden years of Guardiola’s reign in England.

The two players have popped up with vital moments to help the team over the line, including the iconic 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, wherein the duo played major parts.

Therefore, it feels like the perfect goodbye for Stones and Silva with two domestic cups and maybe even still a Premier League title if all works out.

If one of Silva’s final actions in a City shirt is to lift the FA Cup at Wembley, there won’t be any complaints from the sky blue faithful.