Chelsea’s Tactical Formation: 3-4-2-1
Roberto Sanchez showcased his focus with a close-range save against Erling Haaland just before halftime. However, he couldn’t thwart Antoine Semenyo’s powerful finish, which ultimately secured the victory for the opponent.
Wesley Fofana had a relatively quiet first half but made crucial interventions in the second half, preventing Manchester City from extending their lead.
Levi Colwill played a vital role in Chelsea’s defensive line, only to be unable to prevent Semenyo’s clinical finish. His performance was solid, though it fell short of a standout mark.
Jorel Hato became the second-youngest player to appear for Chelsea in an FA Cup final. He was denied what seemed to be a penalty in the 76th minute due to a challenge from Kusanov.
Maro Gusto faced the challenging responsibility of shielding his teammates but produced a critical cross that forced a defensive clearance from Nunez.
Reece James struggled throughout the match and almost contributed to a goal for Haaland following a critical lapse in coordination with his captain.
Moises Caicedo’s performance left much to be desired. Although he made necessary clearances, like many of his teammates, he failed to make a significant impact on the game.
Marc Cucurella, selected for his role on the left wing, occasionally troubled the opposing defense but was ultimately forced to exit the match due to illness.
Cole Palmer was active in the first half with some spirited runs but could not fulfill his role as the team’s leading forward. Enzo Fernandes’ attempts to connect with João Pedro fell short after Chelsea conceded a goal during a transitional phase.
Substitutes included Pedro Neto, who entered for Cucurella in the 72nd minute but had limited impact. Liam Delap stepped onto the field for James in the 83rd minute and did not leave a mark, while Alejandro Garnacho replaced João Pedro late in the game.
Manchester City’s Tactical Setup: 4-2-3-1
James Trafford faced minimal challenges until he had to deal with João Pedro’s shot. However, he experienced a moment of uncertainty when a miscontrol allowed a corner in the 53rd minute.
Matheus Nunez exploited gaps left by Cucurella, but he was ruled offside while assisting Haaland for what would have been a goal.
Abdukkodir Kusanov had a shaky performance, engaging in a scuffle with João Pedro, leading to Chelsea’s claims for a penalty after he conceded possession.
Marc Guehi played a pivotal role, scoring a crucial header that aimed to shift momentum in Manchester City’s favor. He also made history, winning the Creme Cup for the second consecutive year after leading the team to victory last year.
Nico O’Reilly was relatively quiet but found his rhythm in the second half, effectively managing Semenyo’s attempts on goal.
Bernardo Silva, under pressure from Fernandes’ robust challenge, still managed to convert a threatening cross from Palmer, demonstrating his resilience.
Rodri, making his return after a month, headed home Caicedo’s perfectly placed shot before being substituted in the 65th minute.
Antoine Semenyo delivered a stunning backheel winner that capped off an impressive performance, despite a few earlier missed opportunities. His play proved decisive as he ultimately led his team to victory.
Omar Marmouche was underwhelming, struggling to make an impact in the forward position during his time on the pitch. He was substituted at halftime. Meanwhile, Jeremy Dok showcased an impressive run, breaking away from convention for a Belgian player.
Erling Haaland faced scrutiny for a missed opportunity but redeemed himself by assisting Semenyo’s winning goal, despite still searching for his first Wembley goal.
Substitutes included Mateo Kovacic, who had a steady impact after his introduction, and Rayan Cherki, who created moments of excitement, putting pressure on Sanchez during late-game attempts.
