- Manchester City advances to third consecutive FA Cup final with 2-0 victory
- Teenage star Rico Lewis scores opener within two minutes
- Defender Josko Gvardiol seals win with powerful second-half header
- Nottingham Forest hits woodwork three times in dramatic second half
- Pep Guardiola's squad aims to salvage season in May 17 final vs Crystal Palace
Manchester City delivered a clinical performance at Wembley Stadium, defeating Nottingham Forest 2-0 to secure their place in a historic third consecutive FA Cup final. The victory keeps alive Pep Guardiola's hopes of claiming silverware in what has been a challenging season marked by Premier League disappointment and an early Champions League exit.
The Sky Blues struck immediately through 19-year-old Rico Lewis, who capitalized on Mateo Kovacic's setup to fire home from 18 yards within 120 seconds of kickoff. This early breakthrough set the tone for a match that saw City demonstrate their trademark possession dominance, controlling 68% of the ball throughout the contest.
Forest's resistance crumbled further six minutes after halftime when Josko Gvardiol rose unchallenged to head home Kevin De Bruyne's corner. The Croatian defender's goal came amidst controversy, with City players vehemently appealing for a handball penalty moments before the decisive set-piece.
Despite the scoreline, Forest showcased surprising resilience in the second half. Morgan Gibbs-White struck both the crossbar and post within a 15-minute span, while Taiwo Awoniyi rattled the woodwork in the 79th minute. City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega preserved his clean sheet with crucial saves during Forest's late surge.
This semifinal victory carries particular significance for Guardiola's side, who face the prospect of their first trophyless season since 2016-17. The Catalan manager acknowledged post-match: 'When you wear this badge, every competition becomes vital. Reaching three consecutive finals shows the mentality we've built.'
Financial analysts note City's £900 million squad valuation dwarfs Forest's £350 million roster, highlighting the growing economic divide in English football. This disparity manifested in City's ability to field seven full internationals compared to Forest's three, despite both teams making multiple rotations.
Regional football historians draw parallels to Manchester United's 1994-1996 FA Cup dominance, when Sir Alex Ferguson's squad appeared in three straight finals. City's current run marks the first time any club has achieved this feat since the Premier League era began.
The May 17 final against Crystal Palace presents an intriguing tactical challenge, with Palace boasting the tournament's best defensive record (2 goals conceded in 5 matches). City will rely on their Wembley experience, having won 8 of their last 10 visits to the national stadium.