Man City beats Chelsea in FA Cup final

Manchester City won the FA Cup on Saturday, beating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley Stadium on an improvised finish from Antoine Semenyo. The Football Association said Semenyo scored in the 72nd minute and was named player of the match as Pep Guardiola's side lifted the trophy for the eighth time. The result completed a domestic cup double for City after their League Cup success, according to the FA. It also changed the Premier League's European qualification picture because City had already secured a Champions League place through the league. ### Who scored the goal that won the final? Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal in the 72nd minute, meeting Erling Haaland's cross with a flick at the near post, the FA said. The governing body said the Ghana winger's finish settled a tight match after City had earlier seen a goal ruled out for offside. (thefa.com) The FA said Semenyo was named player of the match after a performance in which he repeatedly threatened Chelsea down the right. Sky Sports also reported that his finish gave City a 1-0 win at Wembley. ### How did Chelsea lose control of the game? Chelsea failed to register an attempt on goal in the opening 10 minutes, the FA's match report said, while City controlled possession early and created the first chances. (thefa.com) The FA said Omar Marmoush had an effort saved, Haaland had a tap-in ruled out for offside, and Semenyo remained City's most dangerous outlet before the break. Reece James made a mistake that nearly allowed Haaland to score earlier in the match, according to the FA report. Chelsea pressed late for an equalizer, but the FA said that pressure did not produce a meaningful effort on goal. ### Why does City's win affect which Premier League clubs reach Europe? (thefa.com) Manchester City's FA Cup win passed the Europa League place awarded to the cup winner down the Premier League because City are already guaranteed a top-two league finish, the Premier League said. That means the league is set to have eight qualification places in UEFA competitions through final league-table positions. (thefa.com) The Premier League said the top five clubs are guaranteed Champions League places this season because England earned an additional European Performance Spot through English clubs' results in UEFA competitions. It said sixth and seventh are set to qualify for the Europa League, while eighth would take the Conference League place that goes to the League Cup winners, who were also Manchester City. (premierleague.com) BBC Sport separately reported that City's win means the Premier League's top eight will now qualify for Europe. ### Which clubs are in those places now? AFC Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion were sixth and seventh, while Brentford were eighth, according to the Premier League's explanation published after the final. Those positions matter because the final league table will decide who takes the redistributed European places. (premierleague.com) The Premier League said there could still be another change involving Aston Villa. (bbc.com) Villa face Freiburg in the Europa League final on Wednesday, May 20, and the competition outcome combined with Villa's final league position could alter which Premier League finishing place leads to which UEFA competition. ### What did Guardiola say about the celebrations? (premierleague.com) Pep Guardiola told players they could not have "even one beer" after the win, Goal.com reported, because City's attention had already turned back to the Premier League title race. Goal said Guardiola barred alcohol during the celebrations despite the club securing a second trophy of the season. (premierleague.com) The FA said the full-time whistle sent City's focus toward trying to catch Arsenal in the title race. Goal framed Guardiola's order as a demand for full focus in the final week of the league season. ### What comes next after Wembley? Wednesday, May 20, is the next date that could affect the wider consequences of City's win. (goal.com) The Premier League said Aston Villa's Europa League final against Freiburg could still change how England's European places are allocated, depending on where Villa finish in the league. (premierleague.com) (thefa.com)