Chelsea have made unwanted history after losing 1-0 to Manchester City in the 2025/26 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 16. The defeat marked the Blues' fourth consecutive FA Cup final loss, an English football record.
Semenyo Decides the Final
Ghanaian winger Antoine Semenyo broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute to secure the trophy for Manchester City. The 26-year-old became the first Ghanaian to score in the final of the world's oldest cup competition. Semenyo joined City from Bournemouth in January for £64 million and netted his 10th goal for the club in the final.
The goal came after Erling Haaland delivered a low cross into the penalty area. Semenyo, holding off Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, flicked the ball into the far corner with his right heel.
Chelsea's Missed Chances
Chelsea came close to scoring earlier in the match. Moises Caicedo saw his header cleared off the line by Rodri, while Enzo Fernandez sent an effort onto the roof of the net. The Blues also appealed for several penalties, with interim coach Calum McFarlane particularly frustrated by Abdukodir Khusanov's challenge on Jorrel Hato inside the box.
Cole Palmer spent much of the game tracking back to contain Jeremy Doku and struggled to make an impact in attack.
Unwanted Record for Chelsea
Chelsea have now lost an English football record four FA Cup finals in a row and seven domestic finals in a row since Antonio Conte's side won the FA Cup in 2018. According to the club's official website, the Blues lost the FA Cup to Manchester United in 2018 and have suffered defeat in six finals at Wembley (three FA Cup and three League Cup).
The last Chelsea player to score in a final at Wembley was Christian Pulisic in the 2020 FA Cup final against Arsenal, played behind closed doors due to the pandemic. England international Reece James has now played in four FA Cup finals and ended on the losing side each time.
The defeat leaves Chelsea with the real prospect of missing out on European qualification, as they sit ninth in the Premier League. Chelsea are just the second side to lose four consecutive FA Cup final appearances, after Leicester City between 1949 and 1969.
Manchester City End Final Drought
The victory ended Manchester City's run of consecutive defeats in FA Cup finals after losses to Manchester United and Crystal Palace in the previous two editions, per Sky Sports.
Prize Money
Both teams arrived in the final with £2,024,500 in their pockets having won all five games on their way to the final. Pep Guardiola's side earned an additional £2,120,000 for winning the final, while runners-up Chelsea received an additional £1,060,000.
