Sports

ManCity crowned FA Cup champions after thrashing Chelsea 1-0

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4 months ago

May 16, 2026

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Antoine Semenyo produced one of the great FA Cup final goals with an audacious back-flick that sealed Manchester City’s 1-0 win against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.

Semenyo illuminated a largely scrappy final late in the second half as he improvised a sublime finish to caress Erling Haaland’s cross into the net.

The Ghana winger’s moment of magic was enough to clinch City’s eighth FA Cup triumph and their second piece of silverware this season after the League Cup final win over Arsenal in March.

Semenyo joins Ricky Villa, Michael Owen, Roberto Di Matteo and Steven Gerrard among the ranks of iconic FA Cup final goalscorers.

Ironically, the 26-year-old — an inspired signing from Bournemouth in the January window — was born just a stone’s throw from Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge home in west London.

The third FA Cup success of Guardiola’s reign ended City’s run of two successive defeats in the final against Crystal Palace and Manchester United.

Guardiola, who also lifted the trophy in 2023 and 2019, has now won 20 trophies in his glittering decade as City manager.

His attention will turn back to City’s slender hopes of making it 21 pieces of silverware with a miracle in the Premier League title race.

City, on a 21-game unbeaten domestic run, will be five points behind leaders Arsenal if the Gunners beat relegated Burnley at home on Monday.

Guardiola’s men can close the gap back to two points with a victory at Bournemouth in their penultimate match of the season on Tuesday.

But Arsenal would still guarantee their first English title since 2004 by winning at Palace on May 24.

Ahead of his 24th trip to Wembley with City, Guardiola joked that he was “so disappointed” he has not had a stand named after him at the home of English football.

Whether he will be back with City remain a matter of conjecture.

Uncertainty has swirled around Guardiola’s future all season and, with just one year left on his contract, the 55-year-old is yet to give an indication if he plans to stay or go at the end of this term.

If it is about to be the end of an era, Semenyo ensured Guardiola will leave with at least one more golden memory.

For Chelsea, the loss was the latest blow in another turbulent campaign.

Without a win in their last seven league games, they are languishing in ninth place with virtually no chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Under interim boss Calum McFarlane, they produced a battling but ultimately impotent display that underlined why frustrated fans protested against owners BlueCo before kick-off and chanted “we want our Chelsea back”.

With Chelsea content to sit deep in their five-man defence, City dominated possession for long periods of the first half, but couldn’t make the breakthrough.

It was a cagey and often flat occasion, in keeping with two teams who have underachieved this season.

Haaland fired wide from an acute angle after stealing possession on the edge of the Chelsea area.

Haaland threatened to prise open Chelsea’s well-drilled rearguard late in the first half, surging onto Marc Guehi’s pass for a stinging strike that Robert Sanchez saved at his near post.

Relying on only occasional counter-attacks, Chelsea felt aggrieved just before the interval when their penalty claim was rejected after Joao Pedro was bundled over by Abdukodir Khusanov.

Semenyo should have broken the deadlock immediately after the break, heading over from six yards after climbing to meet Nico O’Reilly’s cross.

Moises Caicedo’s header was nodded off the line by Rodri after City keeper James Trafford fumbled a corner.

But City finally delivered the knockout blow in the 72nd minute.

Haaland made a clever run down the right-hand side of the Chelsea area and cut the ball back to Semenyo, who deftly back-heeled his supreme finish into the far corner from close range.

Sports

Maresca Names Ruben And Haaland As Manchester City Captains

Published

6 hours ago

September 5, 2026

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Manchester City have named Ruben Dias as their new captain, with Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma also included in the club’s leadership group.

Dias takes over from Bernardo Silva, who left City during the summer. The Portugal defender will lead the team, while Haaland, Guehi and Donnarumma will take on additional leadership responsibilities as City continue life under new manager, Enzo Maresca.

The announcement was made by coach Maresca earlier today, September 4, with the four players chosen for their experience and influence within the squad. Maresca previously named Enzo Fernandez as captain during their time together at Chelsea, but Dias will now wear the armband at the Etihad Stadium.

Maresca also spoke about Fernandez’s arrival at City after the Argentina international completed a joint-British record £125 million move from Chelsea on deadline day. He said several City players were keen to see the midfielder join the club because of his winning mentality and experience.

“I know Enzo quite well and I know what he can bring to the team,” Maresca said. “He is a winner, a winner’s mentality and knows how to win [after] the World Cup, Club World Cup.”

The manager added: “I can promise you that in the last four or five days four or five players from the squad were asking if he is coming or not because they want him to be with us.”

Fernandez could make his City debut against newly promoted Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. His transfer formed part of City’s record £458 million spending spree, which also included Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said the club had handled Fernandez’s departure respectfully and was now focused on moving forward.

“In football many things happen. With Enzo we have had conversations and always with respect. What he has done for the club has been great, but now it’s time to move forward,” Alonso said.

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Turkey: Galatasaray coach, Okan Buruk gives injury update on Osimhen, Mario Lemina

Published

6 hours ago

September 5, 2026

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Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk, has provided the latest injury update on two of his players, Victor Osimhen and Mario Lemina.

Speaking to beIN Sports after Galatasaray defeated Başakşehir 3-2 in the Turkish Super Lig encounter on Friday, Buruk said Lemina and Osimhen sustained a groin injury.

According to him, both players will need to do MRIs, and hopefully, they can be ready for the upcoming Champions League match.

“Lemina had a slight groin pain in training yesterday. Osimhen also felt it today,” Buruk said.

Sports

Victor Osimhen Named Among Best Three Strikers In Europe

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Ex- Sierra Leone international Michael Lahoud has placed Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen among the best three forwards currently playing in Europe.

Lahoud made the assessment while discussing Galatasaray’s prospects in the UEFA Champions League, expressing confidence that the Turkish giants have enough attacking quality to make a strong impression in the competition.

According to the former midfielder, Osimhen’s goalscoring ability, combined with the arrival of Portuguese star Rafael Leao, gives Galatasaray a major attacking advantage as they prepare for their Champions League campaign.

Lahoud argued that Osimhen belongs in the same conversation as some of the biggest names in world football, including England captain Harry Kane and France superstar Kylian Mbappe.

“Galatasaray has arguably the best striker in Europe right now alongside Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Victor Osimhen,” Lahoud said on the CBS Sports Golazo Network.

Lahoud Backs Galatasaray for Champions League Success

The former Sierra Leone international believes Galatasaray’s attacking options could make them one of the teams to watch during the Champions League league phase.

He particularly highlighted the combination of Osimhen and Leao, describing the Portuguese winger as a potential game-changer for the Turkish club.

Lahoud said the presence of Leao could provide Galatasaray with an additional attacking dimension, particularly in matches against some of Europe’s established clubs.

“I stand on business when I say that the numbers don’t lie when it comes to the Champions League. But the fact that Galatasaray have Rafael Leao, I think that becomes a real X factor,” he stated.

Lahoud went as far as predicting that Galatasaray would finish among the top eight teams at the end of the Champions League league phase.

“Galatasaray will finish the Champions League league phase in the top eight this season,” he added.

Osimhen Remains Key to Galatasaray’s Ambitions

Osimhen is expected to play a central role in Galatasaray’s ambitions both domestically and in Europe, with the Nigerian forward having established himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in European football.

His pace, physical strength, movement and ability to score from different situations have made him a major attacking threat, while his Champions League experience is also expected to be valuable to the Turkish champions.

With Leao now providing another major attacking option, Galatasaray will hope their star-studded forward line can help them compete against Europe’s elite.

Lahoud’s prediction will also raise expectations around Osimhen, particularly among Nigerian football fans who will be hoping the Super Eagles striker can continue to deliver at the highest level on the European stage.