Manchester City will take on Crystal Palace in the final of the 2025 FA Cup, with the Citizens recording a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in Sunday afternoon's semi-final at Wembley Stadium.
Palace shocked Aston Villa to become the first finalist on Saturday, and the Eagles have now been joined by Man City, who proved to be too strong for Nuno Espirito Santo's team in the English capital.
Rico Lewis made the breakthrough in just the second minute of the match, before Josko Gvardiol headed Pep Guardiola's side into a two-goal lead early in the second period, leaving Forest with a mountain to climb.
Man City were never really in danger of throwing it away from such a commanding position despite Forest hitting the woodwork on three occasions in the second period, and the Blues will now be aiming to become FA Cup winners for the eighth time in their history next month.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
It has been a transitional campaign for Man City, with the Citizens now officially relinquishing control of the Premier League title to Liverpool, but it could still be a successful end to the season for the Manchester outfit.
Indeed, Man City will contest the FA Cup final against Palace on May 17, while they are currently in a Champions League spot in the Premier League table, and securing qualification for Europe's premier competition is an absolute necessity.
Guardiola's side have now won six of their last seven matches in all competitions, and this was an accomplished performance against a Forest outfit that were made to pay for a lacklustre start to both periods.
Anthony Elanga missed a big chance at 1-1, before the Reds hit the woodwork on three occasions, and this will go down as an opportunity missed for a Forest outfit that were looking to become FA Cup winners for just the third time in their history and first time since 1959.
Nuno's side will live to fight another day, though, and their attention will now solely be on the Premier League, with the Reds sitting sixth in the top-flight table, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea, crucially boasting a game in hand.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS. MAN CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Rico Lewis goal vs. Nottingham Forest (3rd min, Nottingham Forest 0-1 Man City)
FIRST BLOOD TO MANCHESTER CITY! ⚽️🩵
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 27, 2025
Rico Lewis fires the sky blues ahead - what a start 🔥#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/U4i7pMdbJ7
Man City make the breakthrough in the third minute, as Lewis strikes one into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty box - it is a wonderful effort from the Englishman, with the Citizens scoring early in the semi-final.
Josko Gvardiol goal vs. Nottingham Forest (51st min, Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man City)
Manchester City are edging closer to another FA Cup final! 🏟️
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 27, 2025
Joško Gvardiol doubles the lead with a towering header! 💥#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/FFzw5J2hKX
Man City double their advantage in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, as Gvardiol heads a corner from Omar Marmoush into the back of the net; Man City are now in a dominant position in terms of securing a position in the final.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MATEO KOVACIC
© Imago
Kovacic put in a midfield masterclass on Sunday afternoon, with the Croatian running the show for Man City; he provided the assist for Lewis to make it 1-0 early on, but it was his overall performance that earns him this award.
The 30-year-old completed five dribbles, while he was exceptional in possession of the ball, completing 84 of his 90 passes, finishing with a pass success rate of 93% at Wembley.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS. MAN CITY MATCH STATS
Possession: Nottingham Forest 33%-67% Man City
Shots: Nottingham Forest 8-14 Man City
Shots on target: Nottingham Forest 1-6 Man City
Corners: Nottingham Forest 2-6 Man City
Fouls: Nottingham Forest 10-8 Man City
BEST STAT
A dream start! 🔥
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 27, 2025
Rico Lewis (20y 157d) is the youngest player to score for Man City at Wembley since Steve MacKenzie in May 1981 👏#FACup pic.twitter.com/Be03fNEYqn
WHAT NEXT?
Both of these teams will now switch their attention back to the Premier League, with the pair involved in a fierce battle for the top five, and Champions League football is very much on the agenda.
Man City's league campaign continues against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday night, while Forest will take to the field on Thursday evening, with Brentford making the trip to the City Ground.
Matt Law
