Manchester City's FA Cup glory: where final against Chelsea was won and lost

"Pushed high and told to operate alongside Erling Haaland, Marmoush struggled to make an impact. The Egypt forward's positioning was off, disrupting the connection between City's midfield and attack. They lacked a link player, making it easy for Chelsea to absorb pressure during the first half of a disappointing final, and it was not a surprise when Guardiola replaced Marmoush with Cherki at half-time."

"Even then there was still no sign of an improvement from City at the start of the second half. Chelsea grew into the game after a nervous start and there were times when they looked the likelier winners. Calum McFarlane, the interim head coach taking charge of only his sixth game in senior football, had come up trumps by deploying a back three."

"Reece James and Moises Caicedo were strong in midfield. The wing-backs, Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella, defended well and caused problems. City grew edgy. Nico O'Reilly looked vulnerable at left-back and Chelsea had some joy against Guardiola's high line. Joao Pedro played on the shoulder of the last man and led the line well before tiring during the latter stages."

"A lack of conviction in the final third was their undoing in the end. Joao Pedro scuffed a decent chance in the first half and Caicedo had a header cleared off the line. Enzo Fernandez volleyed over moments after City went ahead and while there were a few flashes from Cole Palmer, his decision-making was below par. Ultimately City found that crucial dash of class through Antoine Semenyo's late winner."

Omar Marmoush was started instead of Rayan Cherki and struggled to fit into City’s high positioning alongside Erling Haaland. His off positioning disrupted the connection between City’s midfield and attack, leaving City without a reliable link player and allowing Chelsea to absorb pressure in the first half. Guardiola replaced Marmoush with Cherki at halftime, but City still did not improve early in the second half. Chelsea grew into the match after a nervous start, using a back three with strong midfield work from Reece James and Moises Caicedo. Wing-backs Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella defended well, while Chelsea exploited vulnerabilities in City’s high line and left-back area. Despite some chances, Chelsea lacked conviction in the final third and ultimately lost to a late winner by Antoine Semenyo.

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