Chelsea offer Alonso encouragement but Semenyo shines for Man City

A classic final, this was not. But Antoine Semenyo’s flicker of genius to win Manchester City their eighth FA Cup deserves to be remembered long after the 95 minutes around it have been forgotten.

The longer an edgy affair went on, the more evident it became that only a mistake or an isolated moment of inspiration would settle it. Semenyo showed his quality when Chelsea could not.

At least, not in attacking areas. Through two-thirds of the pitch, Callum McFarlane’s Blues were actually very impressive, especially in denying City their rhythm and flow. So hard they worked – not something we can often say of Chelsea this season – that weariness won out around the box.

It was a similar story for City, largely shackled by…