Manchester City defeated Chelsea 1-0 on May 16, 2026, to win the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium [1, 4].

The victory ends a two-year losing streak for the club in England's oldest knockout competition [2]. It also marks a significant personal milestone for manager Pep Guardiola, whose trophy count reached 20 in 10 years as the club's coach [3].

Antoine Semenyo provided the decisive moment of the final with a flicked finish that secured the win [3]. The match was a tightly contested affair that ultimately saw City reclaim the title at the national stadium.

City's path to the final included a challenging semifinal against Southampton. In that match, Manchester City overcame an early deficit to win 2-1 [5]. Nico González and Jeremy Doku scored goals just five minutes apart to fuel the comeback [6]. The victory over Southampton was sealed late in the game, with a critical goal occurring in the 87th minute [7].

Throughout the campaign, the club relied on a variety of contributors to navigate the knockout rounds. While the semifinal featured a rapid scoring burst from González and Doku, the final required a more disciplined defensive performance to keep Chelsea scoreless [1].

Guardiola's tenure has been defined by consistent dominance in English football. This latest addition to his trophy cabinet reinforces City's status as a powerhouse in both domestic league play, and cup competitions [3].

“Antoine Semenyo's superb flicked finish won the FA Cup for Manchester City against Chelsea”

This victory restores Manchester City's dominance in the FA Cup after a brief period of struggle in the competition. By securing the trophy, Guardiola cements his legacy with a historic 20th title, maintaining the club's competitive edge at a time when other Premier League rivals are challenging for leadership.