A Manchester City winger had his moment in the FA Cup final against Chelsea | OneFootball

Antoine Semenyo has made a tremendous impact for Manchester City since he signed for the club from Bournemouth in January. Semenyo has scored 10 goals and added 3 assists, as the Ghana international has added goals from out wide to Pep Guardiola’s side. As Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final on Saturday, Semenyo scored the winner with an exquisite back-heel finish in the 72nd minute to help his team complete a domestic cup double for the 2025-26 season. Given the path that Semenyo has traveled to become a City player, his match-winning moment was extra special for the Ghana international.

Antoine Semenyo’s quality finish decided Saturday’s FA Cup final.

This season’s FA Cup final between Manchester City and Chelsea was far from a classic. Pep Guardiola’s side had their moments, but too often their end product was lacking. As for Chelsea, they also had their moments, but Calum McFarlane’s side never really looked capable of unlocking City’s defence. As the game entered the 72nd minute, it seemed that one goal would decide the match. That is exactly what transpired.

Manchester City swept forward in the 72nd minute looking for the game’s opening goal. Rayan Cherki started the move with a pass to Erling Haaland. Haaland fought for the ball in midfield to keep City’s attacking move flowing. The ball found its way to Bernardo Silva, who slipped a quality ball through to Erling Haaland. Haaland played in a quality low right-footed cross, which saw Antoine Semenyo produce a piece of magic to beat Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez with a sublime improvised finish. Saturday’s FA Cup final was screaming out for quality, and one moment of magic from Semenyo arrived. Semenyo’s goal was worthy of winning any FA Cup final, and it helped Manchester City complete a domestic cup double at Wembley.

The journey Antoine Semenyo has taken to get to Manchester City made his match-winning moment that bit more special.

Since arriving at Manchester City, Antoine Semenyo has won the first two trophies of his career. That in itself is a special moment for the Ghana international, as was his match-winning moment at Wembley. Semenyo’s moment in the FA Cup final was just a little bit more special considering the path Semenyo has taken to arrive as a member of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Antoine Semenyo has had to battle through English football to get to Manchester City. The Ghana international has had loan spells from Bristol City to Bath City, Newport County, and Sunderland playing in every tier of English football. Semenyo made his mark in the Championship for Bristol City which earned him a move to Bournemouth.

At Bournemouth, Semenyo thrived and became one of the most dangerous wingers in the Premier League. His form at Bournemouth earned him a move to Manchester City, where Semenyo had already made a tremendous impact. His winner in Saturday’s FA Cup final was a great reward for Semenyo, given the route he has taken to get to that point.

Final thoughts.

Antoine Semenyo belongs at Manchester City, that has stood out since he arrived. His match-winning goal against Chelsea was a fitting reward given all the hard work it has taken from Semenyo to get that moment. However, you do feel that Semenyo’s goal at Wembley and start to life as a member of Pep Guardiola’s squad is the beginning of something special. Especially when you consider that Semenyo has only been a player at City for under six months and he has plenty of room to grow. That is a fantastic proposition for Manchester City to ponder given how crucial Semenyo has been to his team and he has helped them claim two trophies already.