Last updated on April 28, 2025
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Josko Gvardiol celebrates after doubling City’s lead.
Image credit: Manchester City
Manchester City booked their place in a third consecutive FA Cup final after overcoming Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Wembley Stadium, showcasing their big-game pedigree once again under Pep Guardiola.
Despite relinquishing their four-year grip on the Premier League title earlier in the day — as Liverpool clinched the Premier League title by defeating Tottenham — City delivered a commanding performance to keep their hopes of finishing the season with silverware alive.
They will now meet Crystal Palace in the final on 17 May, aiming to lift the famous trophy for the eighth time in their history.
Early Breakthrough Sets the Tone
On a sunny afternoon in London, City wasted no time asserting their dominance.
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Just two minutes in, Mateo Kovačić slipped a precise ball to Rico Lewis on the edge of the box.
The young full-back made no mistake, drilling a clinical low shot into the bottom corner to silence the Forest faithful, who had packed the east end of the stadium in hope.
The early strike rattled Forest, and City continued to create chances.
Omar Marmoush and Jack Grealish combined well, though Marmoush blazed his shot over.
Meanwhile, Nico O’Reilly, displaying excellent footwork, dragged a low effort wide.
Forest’s Missed Chances Prove Costly
Forest, appearing in their first FA Cup semi-final since 1991, struggled to find their rhythm.
However, they had a golden opportunity immediately after the break when Callum Hudson-Odoi squared the ball across the box.
Anthony Elanga, celebrating his 23rd birthday, somehow skewed his first-time finish wide from close range — a miss that would prove pivotal.
Moments later, City punished the wastefulness.
Marmoush delivered a corner, and centre-back Josko Gvardiol rose highest to thunder a header into the net, doubling City’s lead and virtually ending Forest’s hopes.
Forest Hit the Woodwork Three Times
Despite the setback, Forest fought valiantly and came agonizingly close to a comeback.
Morgan Gibbs-White struck the crossbar with a superb volley, before later hitting the post after rounding City keeper Stefan Ortega.
Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi also clipped the post with a header, and Ortega had to pull off a sharp save from Nicolas Dominguez’s effort.
But fortune was not on Forest’s side, and as the final whistle blew, their 66-year wait for an FA Cup triumph continues.
City Chase a Positive Ending
While City’s Premier League dominance came to an end this season, they continue to chase a positive finish.
Guardiola’s side will make their 29th Wembley appearance since 2007 next month — just one short of Chelsea’s record — and could still add another trophy to their cabinet.
Guardiola was keen to downplay any talk of a disappointing season, insisting that Champions League qualification and another domestic final still represent significant achievements.
The fans who made the trip — despite concerns over ticket pricing and travel — celebrated another major moment under Guardiola, who has now led City to an historic feat: the first English club to reach three successive finals in both the FA Cup and League Cup.
Forest Look Ahead to Europe
As for Nottingham Forest, despite the heartbreak, their remarkable season is not yet over.
Sitting close to the Premier League top five, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side remains in the hunt for a Champions League spot — a dream that seemed distant at the start of the campaign.
Injuries forced Forest to field an inexperienced backline, including 18-year-old Zach Abbott making just his third senior appearance.
