In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Manchester City secured their place in the FA Cup final for the third consecutive year, defeating Nottingham Forest 2-0 in the semi-finals on April 27, 2025. The match, held at Wembley Stadium, saw City bounce back from relinquishing their Premier League title to Liverpool just a day prior, making this victory all the more significant.
The day began on a high note for City, as young star Rico Lewis opened the scoring just 109 seconds into the match. After receiving a pass from Mateo Kovacic at the edge of the box, Lewis unleashed a powerful shot that found the bottom corner, silencing the Nottingham Forest supporters who had come in droves to witness their first FA Cup semi-final in 34 years.
Despite their early setback, Nottingham Forest struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. City dominated possession and created several chances, with Omar Marmoush nearly doubling the lead before the break. However, it was the visitors who had the first real opportunity to equalize shortly after halftime. Substitute Anthony Elanga, who had been brought on to spark a revival, missed a golden chance when he sent his first-time effort wide from just eight yards.
City capitalized on Forest's missed opportunity six minutes into the second half, as Josko Gvardiol rose above the defense to head home from a corner taken by Marmoush, extending City's lead to 2-0. This goal proved crucial as Forest, despite their best efforts, could not find a way back into the match.
The second half saw Forest ramp up their efforts, and they came agonizingly close to scoring on three separate occasions. Morgan Gibbs-White was particularly unlucky, striking the crossbar with a stunning volley and then hitting the post after rounding City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. Taiwo Awoniyi also rattled the post with a late effort, but it was clear that luck was not on Forest's side.
Manchester City, who had previously won the FA Cup in 2023 and finished as runners-up last season, will now face Crystal Palace in the final on May 17, 2025. The Eagles secured their place in the final with a convincing 3-0 victory over Aston Villa the day before. City’s manager Pep Guardiola expressed his satisfaction with the performance, stating, "We showed our experience today and played with confidence. Now, we have to prepare for the final and aim for another trophy."
Interestingly, Guardiola made headlines by leaving out star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Nico Gonzalez from the starting lineup, opting instead for Matheus, who had scored the winning goal against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. This decision raised eyebrows but ultimately paid off, as City controlled the match from start to finish.
As the match concluded, the atmosphere at Wembley was electric, with City fans celebrating their team's progression to the final. Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, an ardent City supporter, was spotted among the jubilant crowd, further adding to the occasion's excitement.
Looking ahead, Manchester City will aim to cap off a season that has seen them lose their Premier League title with an FA Cup victory, which would mark the eighth time they have lifted the famous trophy. The stage is set for a thrilling final against Crystal Palace, as both teams prepare to battle for glory.
With their big-game experience and a squad brimming with talent, City will undoubtedly be the favorites heading into the final. However, Crystal Palace will be eager to upset the odds and claim their first FA Cup title since 1990. Fans and pundits alike are already buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be an unforgettable showdown at Wembley.
