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FA Cup final - Chelsea 0-1 Man City: Antoine Semenyo seals fairytale - BBC Sport

In a gripping FA Cup final, Manchester City edged out Chelsea 1-0, thanks to Antoine Semenyo's decisive goal, marking a memorable victory.

In a thrilling FA Cup final, Antoine Semenyo's remarkable goal led Manchester City to a 1-0 victory over Chelsea, adding another chapter to the tournament's rich history. The match, held at Wembley Stadium, showcased Semenyo's journey from a loan spell at non-league Bath City eight years ago to becoming a key player in a major cup final.

Semenyo's Moment of Brilliance

The 26-year-old forward, who joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in January for £62.5 million, delivered a stunning flicked finish in the 72nd minute, securing the club's 16th major trophy under manager Pep Guardiola. Semenyo expressed his excitement after the match, stating, "It has happened a couple of times in training - it happened perfectly today." He acknowledged the rapid pace of the game, saying, "Everything happened so fast to be honest. It came straight to me and I had to improvise myself as quickly as I could."

Guardiola's Tactical Insight

Guardiola had instructed Semenyo to "create chaos," a directive that proved pivotal in breaking Chelsea's defensive setup. Despite Chelsea's strategy of absorbing pressure and counter-attacking, it was Semenyo's moment of quality that ultimately decided the match. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson praised Semenyo's performance on BBC Radio 5 Live, calling it "brilliant" and highlighting the significance of his goal as "one of the goals of the season."

As the final whistle blew, Semenyo celebrated with his teammates, knowing his goal would be remembered for years to come. This victory not only secured the FA Cup but also completed a cup double for Manchester City this season, following their triumph in the Carabao Cup against Arsenal in March. With this win, City became the first team to achieve a 100% record across both competitions, further solidifying their dominance in English football.

Source: bbc.co.uk