Manchester City advanced to their third consecutive FA Cup final after a commanding 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at Wembley.
The match was decided early as young full-back Rico Lewis fired City ahead after just 109 seconds, setting the tone for a performance that blended attacking flair with defensive solidity.
Lewis combined neatly with Mateo Kovacic before unleashing a precise low drive that left Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels helpless. City dominated possession throughout the first half, restricting Forest to minimal opportunities while creating several chances of their own.
The Premier League champions doubled their advantage shortly after halftime when Josko Gvardiol rose highest to power home a header from a corner.
Despite the comfortable lead, City survived some nervy moments as Forest mounted a spirited comeback attempt. Morgan Gibbs-White came closest to halving the deficit, first rattling the crossbar with a spectacular 20-yard volley before hitting the post moments later after capitalizing on a defensive error.
Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi became the third Forest player to strike the woodwork late in the game, but City’s defense held firm to preserve their clean sheet.
The victory sets up a tantalizing final against Crystal Palace on May 17, offering Pep Guardiola’s side the chance to salvage silverware from a season that saw them relinquish their Premier League title to Liverpool.
While Forest’s 34-year wait for an FA Cup semifinal appearance ended in disappointment, their spirited second-half performance demonstrated why they had earned their place at Wembley. For City, the win extends their remarkable consistency in domestic cup competitions and keeps alive their hopes of ending the campaign with another trophy.
The final promises to be an intriguing encounter as City’s technical quality meets Palace’s counterattacking threat in what could be a classic Wembley showdown.
