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Chelsea v Manchester City LIVE - Preview, Analysis, Reaction

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James HilsumJames Hilsum
Manchester City's players lift the FA Cup.
Manchester City's players lift the FA Cup.

That's all for today!

Thank you for joining us, as City lift the FA Cup for an eighth time!

Antoine Semenyo celebrates his goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

That poignant moment

TNT Sports provides the trophy lift footage here. What a moment for Bernardo Silva and John Stones!


Stones and Bernardo to lift the trophy

City's players collect their winners' medals and departing duo John Stones and Bernardo Silva lift the trophy together.

A fitting way to cap off their final City appearance at Wembley!


Bernardo on reaching 20 trophies with City

He told BBC Sport: "Since I arrived it's been 20 trophies which isn't bad. I care a lot about Manchester City. I wish all the best to the manager because I really enjoy being with him and sharing all these moments together."

Bernardo Silva celebrates at the final whistle of the 2026 FA Cup final.

Semenyo breaks new ground


Full-time: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City

City are FA Cup winners for the eighth time!

Could Guardiola's men still achieve a domestic treble?


90+1: Over from Delap

Heading into last chance saloon for Chelsea now, as Delap heads over from Gusto's delivery.

We've had one minute played of a minimum of five minutes.

Caicedo then picks up a yellow.


85: City have chances for a second

Nunes hits the post from a tight angle with his deflected strike, before Sanchez parries away Cherki's strike.

Chelsea then make another change, as Garnacho replaces Joao Pedro.

The former Manchester United man unsurprisingly gets a hostile reception from the City fans.


83: Delap enters the fray

Former City man Delap replaces James, as McFarlane bolsters his forward line.


78: Footage of Semenyo's opener

Here it is in all its glory, courtesy of TNT Sports.


74: Fernandez almost makes it 1-1!

The Argentine reacts quickest to a flick on in the box, and his opportunistic attempt nestles on the roof of the net!

That comes moments before Cucurella is taken off and Neto is the man who comes on.


72: Sublime from Semenyo to break the deadlock!

That was an audacious finish from Semenyo!

There hasn't been too much attacking quality for either side up to this point, but that was absolutely sublime from the Ghanian, who backheels Haaland's cross past Sanchez.

First blood to City!


67: Another Chelsea penalty shout

Pedro is screaming for another spot-kick after a coming together with Khusanov.

Referee Darren England and the officials aren't interested.


65: Rodri goes off

The Spaniard is replaced by Kovacic in a like-for-like City change in midfield.


63: That Semenyo chance

Here's a clip of that golden opportunity for Semenyo, courtesy of TNT Sports.


60: Match Momentum from the first half

It was a bit of a while ago now, but here's how the match momentum looked from the first half.

Chelsea v Manchester City Match Momentum

59: Khusanov booked, Chelsea penalty appeal

The City defender is booked after bring down Cucurella, and James whips in the free-kick.

The Blues have a penalty shout when Fernadez's ball hits O'Reilly in the box, but his arm was in a natural position.


55: Trafford bailed out by Rodri

Trafford concedes a cheap corner, which is floated into Caicedo, whose header is cleared off the line by Rodri.


52: Average player positions

Here are the average player positions from Chelsea and Manchester City in the first half.

City have been key to stretch the play with Semenyo and Doku, while Chelsea have been a bit more compact!

Chelsea average positions
Manchester City average positions

47: Over from Semenyo!

Cherki plays the ball out to O'Reilly, whose cross is headed over by Semenyo!


46: Second half underway!

City restart proceedings.

One change for them at the break, as Cherki replaces Marmoush.


Half-time: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester City

A cagey, but intriguing first half comes to a close at Wembley.


45+1: Pedro demands a penalty!

Pedro goes tumbling inside the box after colliding with Khusanov, and the Brazilian cries out for a penalty.

Those appeals will be in vain, and replays suggest that's the right call.


44: Haaland denied by Sanhez!

Guehi slots a lovely ball down the channel for Haaland, and the Norwegian's first-time effort is diverted behind by Sanchez.


42: Chelsea resurgence

Calum McFarlane's side are enjoying their best spell in the match, as they make inroads towards the City defence.

No clear-cut chances to test Trafford yet, though.


33: Cucurella gets his name jotted down

The Chelsea full-back catches Doku late and gets his his name in the book.

Semenyo that makes a darting run into the box, but slices his effort horribly wide.


30: Fernandez enters the book

Fernandez challenges Doku before launching into a tackle on Bernardo Silva.

If that were a little higher, the Argentine could've received his marching orders!


27: Haaland slots home, but it won't count

Doku plays in Nunes, who in turn picks out Haaland to tap home at the far post.

However, Nunes just mistimed his run and the goal is chalked off.


24: Caicedo goes down

Worrying scenes for Chelsea with Caicedo slumped down on the turf.

He gets to his feet, but looks in some discomfort clutching that right knee.


14: A teasing cross from Semenyo

Unfortunately for City, nobody was on the end of it!

Pep's side have begun the brighter of the two teams here.


11: Early City pressure

Doku drifts in an excellent cross towards Rodri, whose header at the far post is blocked by Joao Pedro.


A men's and women's league and cup double?


Kick-off!

We're underway at Wembley!


Final outing for City at Wembley is 'very special' for Bernardo

He told the BBC: "Very special. My final game for Manchester City at Wembley. A final is always special. We just want to win it and celebrate. "We know how much it means to the fans, the club. This competition is very special. The hunger is there for both teams. There are no favourites in the final. On a good day we know how tough they can be."

Bernardo Silva warms up ahead of the FA Cup final.

James 'happy to be back'

He told the BBC ahead of the match: "Happy to be back. Obviously, disappointing setback, but I am always happy to help the team as much as I can when I am on the pitch. I think the way we prepared going into this game it is another final for us.

"I think the preparation we have done this week has been key and hopefully we can execute it on the pitch.

"I think the season has been disappointing up to now. We have to finish it off the best way we can. I have come so close on a number of occasions and hopefully today is the day."

Reece James warms up ahead of the FA Cup final

Rodri back as one of five City changes

Pep Guardiola makes five changes to the City team that beat Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Rodri returns from a groin problem, while James Trafford replaces Gianluigi Donnarumma. Nico O'Reilly, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland are the other changes.

Manchester City: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O'Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Semenyo, Marmoush, Doku; Haaland. Subs: Donnarumma (GK), Ake, Dias, Stones, Cherki, Kovacic, Savinho, Reijnders, Foden.

Rodri

James returns for Chelsea

Some good news for Chelsea, as captain Reece James returns to the side as one of two changes from the 1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend.

He replaces Andrey Santos, while Robert Sanchez gets the nod in goal ahead of Filip Jorgensen. Chelsea: Sanche; Fofana, Colwill, Hato, Gusto; James, Caicedo; Palmer Fernandez, Cucurella; Pedro. Subs: Jorgensen (GK), Acheampong, Santos, Adarabioyo, Essugo, Chalobah, Garnacho, Neto, Delap.

Reece James ahead of the FA Cup final

Good afternoon!

Welcome to our live updates of the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.

Kick-off is at 15:00 UK time.

Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto before the 2026 FA Cup final.

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Chelsea v Manchester City LIVE - Preview, Analysis, Reaction