May 16, 2026<\/a>\n <\/p>\n\n The 26-year-old tormented Chelsea\u2019s defence from the get-go, routinely finding his way inside the opposition\u2019s penalty area, and capped off his display with a sublime flick at the near post to beat Robert Sanchez\u2019s despairing dive.\n<\/p>\n
\n The confidence, deftness and guile required to score such a goal are only found in the game\u2019s top players, and today was the day that Semenyo, having already enjoyed a brilliant season, announced himself as a big game match winner.\n<\/p>\n
\n Silva departs with one final Wembley success\n<\/p>\n
\n Outgoing captain Bernardo Silva brought the curtain down on his trophy-laden nine-year stint at Manchester City with his third FA Cup.\n<\/p>\n
\n Signed by Pep Guardiola in 2017, the 31-year-old has become one of the Spaniard\u2019s most trusted lieutenants and played a key part in Semenyo\u2019s genius finish.\n<\/p>\n
\n It was his pass that played in Erling Haaland, who was then able to cut the ball back into the winger\u2019s orbit.\n<\/p>\n
\n Silva helped control the tempo of the game at Wembley which at times was frantic, especially when Chelsea were in search of an equaliser, and it was fitting that the City great\u2019s last appearance at the home of football involved lifting silverware.\n<\/p>\n
\n Full-blooded tackles\n<\/p>\n
\n A feature of the FA Cup final was the strength of some of the tackles put in by both sides.\n<\/p>\n
\n Neither outfit was prepared to give an inch when challenging for the ball; each tackle a chance for a psychological edge to be gained.\n<\/p>\n
\n The tone was set when Matheus Nunes put in, what Alan Shearer described as a \u201cno nonsense\u201d challenge on Marc Cucurella inside the first ten minutes, and from there, the battle lines had been drawn.\n<\/p>\n
\n Haaland\u2019s goal drought goes on\n<\/p>\n
\n Erling Haaland\u2019s scoring drought at Wembley now extends to nine matches as the Norwegian failed to get his name on the scoresheet yet again.\n<\/p>\n
\n The 25-year-old did technically find the net in north London but his close-range finish at the back post was ruled out for offside after Matheus Nunes failed to time his run when collecting Antoine Semenyo\u2019s through ball down the right.\n<\/p>\n
\n Haaland did have chances to break his duck, flashing an effort across goal in the first half before being denied by Robert Sanchez at the near post later on.\n<\/p>\n
\n But despite not scoring, Haaland was instrumental in the build-up to Semenyo\u2019s winner, winning the initial loose ball before assisting his teammate with a lovely cross.\n<\/p>\n
\n It will be a huge monkey off his back when he does finally register a goal at Wembley, but for now, another FA Cup winner\u2019s medal will act as the perfect tonic for Haaland.\n<\/p>\n
\n Chelsea lack cutting edge\n<\/p>\n
\n In a tight contest settled by a moment of magic, Chelsea needed to be clinical in front goal and at Wembley, that cutting edge was lacking.\n<\/p>\n
\n Despite multiple periods of pressure, Calum McFarlane\u2019s side couldn\u2019t unlock City\u2019s defence.\n<\/p>\n
\n Their best chance fell to Mois\u00e9s Caicedo during the second half, but the 24-year-old\u2019s looping header was cleared off the line by Rodri.\n<\/p>\n
\n Enzo Fernandez and Liam Delap also had chances to level the tie once Chelsea fell behind, but neither connected in the way they will have wanted to.\n<\/p>\n
\n The defeat, and lack of goal, means Chelsea extend their unwanted run of failing to score in a major final at Wembley to five matches.\n<\/p>\n