FA Cup Final Player Ratings: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City
City’s narrow victory and Semenyo’s match‑winning rating
Manchester City secured a 1-0 triumph over Chelsea at Wembley, thanks to a back‑heeled winner from Antoine Semenyo. The Guardian’s player‑rating panel awarded Semenyo an 8, the highest score of the match, underscoring his decisive impact.
Player‑by‑player rating breakdown reveals Chelsea’s defensive frailties
Ratings expose a clear split between the two sides. Chelsea’s back line struggled to contain City’s attacks, while several midfielders failed to influence the game.
- Robert Sánchez – Rating 6
- Wesley Fofana – Rating 5
- Levi Colwill – Rating 5
- Jorrel Hato – Rating 5
- Malo Gusto – Rating 5
- Reece James – Rating 4
- Moisés Caicedo – Rating 4
- Marc Cucurella – Rating 5
- Cole Palmer – Rating 5
- Enzo Fernández – Rating 5
- João Pedro – Rating 6
- Pedro Neto (sub) – Rating 6
- Liam Delap (sub) – Rating n/a
- Alejandro Garnacho (sub) – Rating n/a
Statistical snapshot shows City’s higher average rating
City’s eleven received consistently stronger scores, with three players earning a rating of 7 or higher.
- James Trafford – Rating 6
- Matheus Nunes – Rating 6
- Abdukodir Khusanov – Rating 5
- Marc Guéhi – Rating 7
- Nico O’Reilly – Rating 7
- Bernardo Silva – Rating 7
- Rodri – Rating 6
- Antoine Semenyo – Rating 8
- Omar Marmoush – Rating 4
- Jérémy Doku – Rating 5
- Erling Haaland – Rating 7
- Mateo Kovacic (sub) – Rating 6
- Rayan Cherki (sub) – Rating 7
The collective average for City sits at roughly 6.4 versus Chelsea’s 5.0, reflecting a broader performance gap.
What the ratings mean for both clubs heading into the new season
For Chelsea, the low scores for key defenders (James at 4, Caicedo at 4) signal a need to reinforce the back line before the Premier League campaign begins. Midfield creativity also appeared muted, with no player breaking the 6‑point ceiling.
Manchester City can draw confidence from a balanced rating spread, especially the solid contributions from Guéhi, O’Reilly and Silva. However, the absence of a goal from Haaland (rating 7) suggests a potential reliance on other attackers, a factor to monitor in upcoming league fixtures.
Future outlook: key players to watch after Wembley
- Antoine Semenyo – His 8‑point performance puts him on the radar for both club and England selection.
- Erling Haaland – Despite not scoring, his assist and overall rating indicate he remains a decisive threat.
- Reece James – A sub‑4 rating highlights a possible leadership and form issue that Chelsea must address.
- Marc Guéhi – Consistent 7‑point displays suggest he could be a defensive mainstay for City.