Antoine Semenyo has suggested that Chelsea provided Manchester City with a sterner test than Arsenal did in their Carabao Cup final meeting earlier in the season, despite City edging the Blues 1-0 at Wembley in the FA Cup.
The Ghana forward was at the heart of the contest on Saturday as City battled through a tightly contested semi-final-style clash at Wembley Stadium, eventually sealing victory with a 72nd-minute moment of quality. Semenyo latched onto a square pass from Erling Haaland before finishing emphatically to settle the encounter.
Reflecting on the match, Semenyo admitted Chelsea’s intensity and relentlessness made life far more difficult for Pep Guardiola’s side than their 2-1 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
“I won’t lie, Chelsea gave us a much tougher game than Arsenal did in the Carabao Cup final. Their intensity, the pressure, the way they kept fighting until the end… it was completely different,” he said.
He added that City struggled at times to impose their usual control due to Chelsea’s aggressive approach throughout the contest.
“There were moments today where we genuinely struggled to control the game because Chelsea kept coming at us again and again. They made it difficult for us,” he added.
Manchester City have enjoyed another strong campaign under Pep Guardiola, with Semenyo contributing heavily across competitions. The Ghana international has now reached 20 goals and six assists this season between club commitments, underlining his growing influence.
His form has also earned him recognition in the Premier League Player of the Year conversation, reflecting a breakthrough season at the top level.
Attention now shifts quickly back to league action, with City set to travel to face AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday before closing out their campaign against Aston Villa at the weekend.
In a season defined by fine margins and relentless scheduling, Semenyo’s message was clear: not all victories feel the same — and Chelsea, he believes, made sure of that.
