The Ghana winger, signed from Bournemouth in January, collected Erling Haaland’s cutback in the 72nd minute and deftly back-heeled a sublime finish into the far corner. It was the kind of goal that demands to be watched again.
Semenyo joins Ricky Villa, Michael Owen, Roberto Di Matteo and Steven Gerrard among the most celebrated FA Cup final goalscorers in history. The irony was not lost on anyone – the 26-year-old was born just a stone’s throw from Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge home in west London.
City’s star signing delivers 🤩💫
Antoine Semenyo gives the men in Sky Blue a boost 😤
📺 Stream #EmiratesFACup on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/Dy8jKpZr8u
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 16, 2026
The win was City’s eighth FA Cup triumph and their second piece of silverware this season following the League Cup final victory over Arsenal in March. It was also the third FA Cup success of Pep Guardiola’s reign, ending two successive final defeats against Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
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Guardiola has now won 20 trophies in his decade as City manager. Whether he will add a 21st is a question that will define the final weeks of the season. City remain on a 21-game unbeaten domestic run and trail Arsenal by five points with two games remaining. A miracle is required but they are not giving up.
For Chelsea, the defeat was another painful chapter in a turbulent campaign. Without a win in seven league games and languishing in ninth, frustrated fans protested against owners BlueCo before kick-off and chanted “we want our Chelsea back” throughout.
Under interim boss Calum McFarlane, they defended deep and rarely threatened. Moises Caicedo’s header was cleared off the line by Rodri. A penalty appeal was rejected. It was not their day.
The occasion was largely flat until Semenyo produced his moment of magic. That alone made it worth watching.
– AFP
Photo: Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
