Manchester City overpowered Nottingham Forest 2–0 at Wembley on Sunday to book their place in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
Pep Guardiola’s side made a fast start, taking the lead in just the second minute through Rico Lewis before Josko Gvardiol’s second-half goal sealed a comfortable semi-final victory.
City now look forward to an exciting showdown with Palace at Wembley on May 17, after the Eagles dispatched Aston Villa 3–0 in the other semi-final on Saturday.
This will mark Man City’s 14th FA Cup final appearance and offers them the chance to lift the trophy for the eighth time and the third under Guardiola, who took charge in 2016.
Last season, City fell short in the final, losing to Manchester United, having beaten their rivals in the 2023 showpiece.
Guardiola is aiming to salvage a turbulent campaign by securing the FA Cup and ensuring Champions League qualification with a top-five finish in the Premier League.
City currently sit fourth in the Premier League table with four matches remaining and will go into the final as clear favourites, having thrashed Crystal Palace 5–2 at the Etihad earlier this month.
However, City were handed a reminder of the season’s challenges when Liverpool’s win over Tottenham, confirmed just as the final whistle blew at Wembley, officially ended their four-year reign as English champions.
Meanwhile, Forest, just two points adrift of third-placed Newcastle with a game in hand, must regroup quickly to continue their push for a first Champions League appearance since the 1980/81 season.
Sunday marked City’s 28th appearance at Wembley since the stadium’s reopening in 2007, compared to just the second for Forest. Unsurprisingly, the Forest supporters were louder at kick-off, with large gaps visible in City’s sections.
But it wasn’t long before the blue side of Wembley found their voice, as City stormed into the lead almost immediately and never looked back.
