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Semenyo sinks Chelsea
Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 16, with Antoine Semenyo scoring the decisive goal in the 72nd minute.
“Antoine Semenyo broke the deadlock with a brilliant backheel from Haaland’s low cross.”
The Washington Post described Semenyo breaking the deadlock with a brilliant backheel from Haaland’s low cross, after Erling Haaland’s tap-in was ruled out for offside in the first half.
Bristol Live said Bernardo Silva fed Erling Haaland into a channel down the right and that Semenyo, tightly marshalled by Levi Colwill, “hung a deliberate right boot behind him” to divert the finish past Robert Sanchez.
Flashscore reported that Semenyo became the first Ghanaian footballer to score in an FA Cup final, and said the goal was his 20th of the season across all competitions.
BBC Sport added that Semenyo told them, “It has happened a couple of times in training - it happened perfectly today,” after his flicked finish decided the showpiece against Chelsea.
Voices after the goal
In the immediate aftermath, Semenyo told BBC Sport, “I just tried to improvise the best I could and it went in the bottom corner so I can't complain,” describing how the ball came to him with defenders close and angles minimal.
Flashscore quoted Semenyo saying, “I've done it a couple of times in training. It was behind me so that's the only thing I could do and luckily for me it went in,” as he explained why improvisation was the only option.
BBC Radio 5 Live featured Paul Robinson saying, “It was just brilliant from Antoine Semenyo. The timing of the run and the finish is incredible,” framing the goal as the moment that broke the deadlock.
The Guardian’s live blog included Pep Guardiola’s mock response to rumours he was leaving City at the end of the season, with Guardiola replying, “What rumours?” before walking off smiling.
The Washington Post also reported that David Ornstein broke the news that Xabi Alonso has agreed to become the new permanent Chelsea manager after the final.
What it changes next
The result extended Manchester City’s trophy momentum, with BBC Sport saying the FA Cup win capped “a cup double for City this season” after the Carabao Cup triumph here in March against Arsenal.
““a cup double for City this season””
BBC Sport also tied the Wembley moment to a wider run of success, saying the goal sealed a 16th major trophy for boss Pep Guardiola and 20 pieces of silverware overall in his 10 years.
USA Today reported that City’s next focus is the final two Premier League games, with a Premier League fixture against Bournemouth and a visit to Aston Villa, after the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 16.
Bristol Live said City’s attentions now turn to the Premier League title race and Bournemouth away on Tuesday, while it noted Chelsea’s interim boss Calum McFarlane’s caretaker spell after the 1-0 defeat.
International Business Times UK framed the broader stakes around Semenyo’s future, saying Manchester City are leading advanced talks and that his £65 million ($88 million) release clause is being eyed for a January swoop.
