Antoine Semenyo believes Manchester City faced a far more demanding challenge against Chelsea than they did against Arsenal earlier this season, despite Guardiola’s men emerging victorious once again at Wembley.
City secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Chelsea in a tense FA Cup showdown on Saturday, with Semenyo delivering the decisive blow midway through the second half. The Ghanaian attacker calmly converted after connecting with a clever square pass from Erling Haaland in the 72nd minute to separate the two sides.
Although City celebrated another major victory, Semenyo admitted the encounter tested them in ways Arsenal failed to during the Carabao Cup final, where City had edged the Gunners 2-1.
“I won’t lie, Chelsea gave us a much tougher game than Arsenal did in the Carabao Cup final. Their intensity, the pressure, the way they kept fighting until the end… it was completely different,” he said.
A moment of magic 🪄✨
🩵 @antoinesemenyo pic.twitter.com/7XiI0IVxVa
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 17, 2026
The Black Stars forward explained that Chelsea’s relentless pressing disrupted City’s usual rhythm and prevented them from dominating possession for long spells.
“There were moments today where we genuinely struggled to control the game because Chelsea kept coming at us again and again. They made it difficult for us,” he added.
Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have once again maintained their push on multiple fronts this season, with Semenyo emerging as one of the club’s standout performers. The 26-year-old has now amassed 20 goals and six assists in all competitions, highlighting his growing importance in City’s attack.
His performances have also placed him firmly among the names being discussed for the Premier League Player of the Year award following a remarkable campaign.
City’s focus now turns back to league duties with a trip to AFC Bournemouth coming up on Tuesday before they wrap up the season against Aston Villa next weekend.
For Semenyo, however, the latest Wembley win carried an extra layer of satisfaction, largely because of the fierce resistance Chelsea produced from start to finish.
