“Create a bit of chaos” - Antoine Semenyo reveals Guardiola message after FA Cup final heroics

Antoine Semenyo says Pep Guardiola encouraged him to “create chaos” after the Ghana forward scored the winning goal in Manchester City’s FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley.

The 26-year-old produced the decisive moment in the 72nd minute with a clever flicked finish from Erling Haaland’s cross to hand City a 1-0 win and another domestic trophy.

The goal saw Semenyo become the first Ghanaian player to score in a men’s FA Cup final.

Speaking after the game, the forward admitted the finish came instinctively after similar moments in training.

“It has happened a couple of times in training; it happened perfectly today,” Semenyo told BBC Sport.

“Everything happened so fast to be honest. It came straight to me, and I had to improvise myself as quickly as I could.”

Semenyo also reflected on his journey after rising from non-league football with Bath City to becoming the match-winner in one of English football’s biggest occasions.

“As a kid I have always wanted to be playing for the top teams, it took a long time to get there, but I am grateful,” he said.

The Ghana international joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in January and has settled quickly under Guardiola.

According to Semenyo, the City manager’s message after his arrival was simple.

“The first thing he said to me when I came was ‘don’t change your game’. He knows we control the game a lot, he still wants me to be me, still create a bit of chaos,” he added.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson praised the strike after the match, describing it as “one of the goals of the season.”

Semenyo’s goal secured City’s second domestic trophy of the campaign after their EFL Cup success earlier in the season.