This felt like a dagger to the hearts of the football romantics.
Manchester City’s season may have been painfully underwhelming by their lofty standards, but trips to Wembley are annual events and the prospect of a rare FA Cup final showpiece with two surprise cast members never appeared remotely likely.
Pep Guardiola will contest his third successive final next month and there is something about this stadium that brings the A-game out of his players.
This was City’s 30th trip to Wembley since it reopened in 2007 and they will make it No. 31 against Crystal Palace on May 17.
Contrast that to Nottingham Forest, who were making their first appearance here in a cup competition since what was then the Rumbelows Cup Final in April 1992.
Their supporters transformed Wembley Way into a sea of red and, in such a memorable season, will later reflect on an FA Cup semi-final as further evidence of their progress.
There will be inevitable frustration and disappointment. There was a nagging sense that they had shown their opponents far too much respect in the first-half, particularly in the opening 15 minutes.
Forest hit the woodwork three times in a spirited second-half response, and their fans stayed loud to the final whistle.
After fighting relegation two seasons running, Forest will now return to the task of securing a place in next season’s Champions League.
With owner Evangelos Marinakis watching on from the director’s box, these are the occasions he wants Forest to ultimately challenge for on a regular basis.
Nuno Espirito Santo, their head coach, said: “It is a sad day. It’s going to be hard but when we wake up and the sadness is gone, we know we have big things ahead of us to fight for.
“We always learn from the games, individually as a team, as a club. We have learned it’s possible that we can achieve what we want to achieve.
“This is a tough moment, we put a lot of effort into the FA Cup. All of us wanted to achieve it, tomorrow when we see what’s ahead of us it can only bring us more energy for the last moments of the season.”
While Forest will look for an instant response at home to Brentford in the Premier League on Thursday, Guardiola could still salvage his annus horribilis with a trophy.
Even Liam Gallagher was performing the famous Poznan in the posh seats as the final whistle loomed.
Liam Gallagher ⛌ The Poznan #EmiratesFACup | @ITVpic.twitter.com/jEFKpFkNZz
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 27, 2025
Mateo Kovacic was outstanding in perhaps his finest City performance yet, while two youngsters in Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis offered further optimism for the future.
Guardiola still maintains, however, that winning the FA Cup and securing another season in the Champions League will not rescue their campaign.
“Seven semi-finals in a row and three finals in a row isn’t bad,” he said.
“It speaks so highly of this generation of players and the club itself. We are so pleased we are there, we try to repair the damage.
“This season has not been good, we are a thousand million points behind Liverpool.
“Look at the Champions League. We won one game? Two games? We were always a machine and we have not been good but the damage will be minor.”
City’s supporters may have been outnumbered in the stands but it was an overload on the edge of the Forest area that enabled them to take the lead after just 111 seconds.
Kovacic was given too much space to advance towards the area, passing through the legs of Danilo to find Rico Lewis.
Forest stood off, fatally, and Lewis swept his shot into the corner from 20 yards.
FIRST BLOOD TO MANCHESTER CITY! ⚽️🩵
Rico Lewis fires the sky blues ahead – what a start 🔥#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/U4i7pMdbJ7
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 27, 2025
It was the worst possible start for Forest, and played into the hands of Guardiola.
Kovacic and Bernardo Silva were orchestrating the momentum from high up the pitch. O’Reilly, the gifted 20 year old, carried the ball into danger areas and appears to be growing with each game.
Forest did not register a single shot on or off target in the first-half. Morgan Gibbs-White, their captain, was visibly annoyed as the whistle blew.
It was no surprise that Anthony Elanga, on his 23rd birthday, was introduced to try and damage the City party.
Booed by the City fans for his past association with Manchester United, Elanga almost made an instant impact but directed Callum Hudson Odoi’s cross past the post.
Anthony Elanga ALMOST puts Forest level with his first touch! 🫨#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/EdZyiWL3gC
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 27, 2025
It proved a costly miss. Six minutes into the second half City extended their lead.
Omar Marmoush’s corner eluded Murillo and Joko Gvardiol was unmarked to head past Matz Sels.
Forest could have been blown away but did respond with an outrageous effort from Gibbs-White.
A sensational effort from Morgan Gibbs-White crashes off the bar 😱#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/DiOIXm8BmQ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
Taking Elanga’s cross on the volley 20 yards from goal, the England international’s shot crashed back off the crossbar with Stefan Ortega beaten.
Gibbs-White then struck the outside of the post moments later after Gvardiol gave away possession in the City penalty area.
Remarkably, Forest hit the woodwork for a third time in the 79th minute when substitute Taiwo Awoniyi flicked the ball onto the post after Ortega had saved brilliantly from Hudson-Odoi.
City will be back next month, and they know this place better than anyone.
06:54 PM BST
Nuno’s reaction
[Did the best team win?] Yeah. Yeah. Both teams had chances but they started much better than ourselves and they were really clinical.
I think we did well, we competed and had our chances. The boys gave it all.
Once the sadness and bad humour goes away, it’s important to take the positives from today. And we still have a lot to fight for.
[On not starting Anthony Elanga] We had a few situations so it was not easy putting a team together. We can argue [that he should have started] but we’ll never know. We had a gameplan but everything changed after the goal we conceded.
06:46 PM BST
Morgan Gibbs-White has the Forest reaction
It’s devastating. I feel sorry for the fans, I hold my hands up and apologise; I should have scored at least one. As a team we didn’t start the game well. In the second half we gave everything and the supporters never stopped until the last second. We thank them so much for that.
[On the volley that hit the bar] I’ve never hit a ball like in my life with my weak foot. As soon as it hit the crossbar I had a feeling it wasn’t our day.
[On the shot that hit the post] It was a tight angle but I think I should do better. I should score. I feel like if we get one goal, then we get another one – that was the flow of the game at that time.
The main thing we can take from today is that we showed resilience and kept fighting right to the end.
[On the omission of Anthony Elanga] We have a gameplan that everyone believes in, that everyone sticks to. I felt like we nullified them in the first half, apart from their goal. Anthony’s a massive threat for us and he showed that in the second half.
We’ve got to put this behind us and focus on the league. We’ll give it everything.
06:39 PM BST
Pep Guardiola’s reaction
Seven semi-finals in a row, three finals in a row: not bad. We played well. They are so, so dangerous on transitions but we didn’t allow them too many.
[Did you see Rico Lewis scoring when you picked him in midfield?] I’m clever but not clever enough to see that, come on. But he’s a player whose positioning in the pocket is extraordinary.
In general I liked [screws his face up] most of the things we did.
A few months ago their shots that hit the post would have gone in.
Come on, it’s so difficult to reach three FA Cup finals in a row. Perspective will taken in years to come.
Mateo Kovacic’s performances in the last three or four games have been extraordinary – he has such quality and composure. Now we have five finals: four in the league and one in the FA Cup.
Pep Guardiola showed his appreciation to the @ManCity fans at the full-time whistle 🩵#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/vfW5Ojx8HD
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
06:32 PM BST
Man City reaction
Mateo Kovacic
I think it was a deserved win for us. We started well and scored through Rico. We didn’t put the game to bed but they are a strong team and they had a few chances.
We’ve fouled ourselves again. We are getting stronger, we are 100 per cent focussed. The season hasn’t gone the way we wanted but we’re in the FA Cup final and still [in the hunt for] the top four.
I’ve lost a few FA Cup finals. Hopefully this time we can take it home!
Rico Lewis
I’m over the moon with the goal. I like playing in midfield; it’s different to coming inside from full-back. It was a tough game but we got through it at the end.
We’ve got so many players in midfield who can have the ball. Kova and Bernie are so good as the two 6s, they can keep the ball anywhere and that allows the front men to have more freedom.
We’ve showed character this season. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing but we’ve picked ourselves up when we’ve had injuries and shown we can get through tough situations.
06:27 PM BST
The screamer that wasn’t
A sensational effort from Morgan Gibbs-White crashes off the bar 😱#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/DiOIXm8BmQ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
06:24 PM BST
FT: Nottingham Forest 0 Manchester City 2
Manchester City will meet Crystal Palace in a mouthwatering FA Cup final on 17 May. They scored early in both halves through Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol, and for the first hour it was a bit of a mismatch. Forest raged furiously against the dying of their FA Cup light, hitting the woodwork three times in the last half hour, but it wasn’t their day.
🚨 @liamgallagher is doing the Poznań 🤣#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/q8AopXf5AY
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
06:23 PM BST
90+4 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Sosa is booked for a foul on the flying Doku.
06:22 PM BST
90 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Four minutes of added time. Forest have left it all out there but it looks like their FA Cup run is over.
06:18 PM BST
89 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
City substitution Mateo Kovacic, a class act and the official player of the match, is replaced by Nico Gonzalez.
06:15 PM BST
85 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
O’Reilly does brilliantly to block Elanga’s shot in the six-yard box. I don’t think it would have counted due to an offside in the build up, but he wasn’t to know that.
06:14 PM BST
84 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Three shots off the woodwork, one off the line and another put wide from around eight yards out. At least Forest can return home knowing they had a proper go in the second half here. But it really, really doesn’t seem to be their day.
06:13 PM BST
83 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Double substitution for Forest Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa replace Nicolas Dominguez and the limping Zach Abbott, who did very little wrong after his surprise selection.
06:12 PM BST
81 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Double substitution for City Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku come on for Savinho and Omar Marmoush.
06:11 PM BST
80 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Awoniyi hits the post! This is getting silly. Hudson-Odoi’s volley is blocked in the six-yard, Awoniyi hits the rebound against the post and then, seconds later, Gibbs-White’s header is pushed away dramatically by Ortega.
It came really quickly at Awoniyi, who could only throw a leg at the ball and hope for the best.
06:08 PM BST
78 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
O’Reilly is booked for bundling over Elanga.
06:07 PM BST
77 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Forest look a bit deflated after those two near misses. A brilliant run from Marmoush creates an overload on the far side, only for Savinho to overhit a simple pass to Nunes.
06:04 PM BST
73 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
A beautiful first-time pass from Kovacic leads to a bit of a scramble in the Forest area, during which Savinho and then O’Reilly have shots blocked.
06:01 PM BST
71 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Double substitution for Forest Ibrahim Sangare and Taiwo Awoniyi replace Chris Wood and Elliot Anderson.
City substitution Ilkay Gundogan is on for Jack Grealish.
06:01 PM BST
70 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Now Gibbs-White hits the post! This is extraordinary. He read Gvardiol’s heavy touch, danced round Ortega and reversed a shot towards goal from a very tight angle. It hit the inside of the far post and bounced to safety.
Even though the angle was really tight, a player of Gibbs-White’s quality should probably score.
05:59 PM BST
69 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Elanga’s pace has added so much more threat to the Forest attack. Nuno hasn’t done much wrong this season but I’m sure the main question on the minds of the Forest supporters will be why he didn’t start Elanga today…
05:56 PM BST
67 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Apparently Gibbs-White was booked in the aftermath of that volley. I’m not sure why; presumably it wasn’t for swearing at the heavens.
05:56 PM BST
65 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Gibbs-White hits the bar with a sensational volley! Elanga leads a Forest break, running the length of the field before exchanging passes with Wood. Then he crosses towards Gibbs-White, who watches the ball onto his left foot and smashes a spectacular volley from 18 yards. It beats Ortega all ends up and almost breaks the crossbar. Gibbs-White snaps his head back and roars at the heavens in frustration.
A sensational effort from Morgan Gibbs-White crashes off the bar 😱#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/DiOIXm8BmQ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
05:53 PM BST
63 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Fine save by Sels! Grealish plays a crisp return pass into Marmoush on the left side of the area. He loses his balance under pressure but manages to force a rising drive that is tipped over by Sels. Excellent reactions.
05:50 PM BST
59 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
City threw away umpteen leads during their winter of discontent but they have looked much more solid in the last six weeks. While a goal would change the mood, for now City have the game under control.
05:45 PM BST
55 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Grealish is booked for a high challenge on Gibbs-White. Just before that, Savinho slalomed into the area and crossed low to Marmoush, who was about to shoot when the ball was taken off his toe.
05:43 PM BST
54 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
I fear Forest will look back at Elanga’s miss at the start of the half as their big moment. It was their first shot of the game, and Elanga had only just come on, but you have to take those opportunities on occasions like this, against a team that is playing as well as City are today.
05:41 PM BST
Goal!
51 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2 (Gvardiol) It was a temporary reprieve for Forest. Marmoush curled an excellent deep corner onto the head of Gvardiol, who powered a header past Sels from six yards. It’s another good finish but Forest will feel it was avoidable: Murillo jumped under the ball and Sels – who started to come and then changed his mind – was caught in no-man’s land.
Joško Gvardiol with a bullet header for @ManCity 💪
The delivery from Omar Marmoush 👏#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/2ukvwcxBFT
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
05:40 PM BST
50 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Double save by Sels! City want a penalty for handball against Abbott but Mats Selz has made a superb double save. He pushed Nunes’s fierce shot away, then kicked Kovacic’s follow-up off the line despite being wrongfooted.
Kovacic’s shot brushed the hand of Abbott, but it was behind his body and in a natural position for somebody who is running. No penalty.
05:37 PM BST
46 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
What a chance for Elanga! He should have equalised with his first touch! Hudson-Odoi was released down the left and crossed early towards Elanga, six yards out at the near post. He opened his body for a first-time shot but didn’t get the angle right and put it just past the near post.
05:34 PM BST
Forest substitution
Anthony Elanga comes on for Danilo, an attacking move that should mean a switch to a more orthodox 4-2-3-1 formation. It’s Elanga’s 23rd birthday.
05:30 PM BST
Elanga coming on for Forest
No surprise to see Anthony Elanga going through a vigorous warm-up during half-time. Forest have been poor in attack, but Elanga’s lightning pace should increase their chances of springing the offside trap.
05:18 PM BST
Half time: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
A very comfortable first half for City, who controlled the game after Rico Lewis’s second-minute goal gave them the perfect start.
For a while it looked like Forest would be overwhelmed. Their defence stood firm, admirably so, but they were unable to lay a glove on City at the other end.
05:16 PM BST
45 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
They are not all playing centrally today but City have effectively picked a team that features six central midfielders/playmakers. Kovacic, Bernardo, Lewis, Grealish, Nunes, O’Reilly.
05:16 PM BST
44 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Abbott, who has generally had a good half, commits a silly foul on Marmoush. Bernardo Silva’s free-kick is headed away well at the far post by Toffolo.
05:11 PM BST
39 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Lewis’s goal remains the only shot on target at either end. That will be some comfort to Forest, given how much they struggled for the first 20 or 25 minutes. They’ve been miles below their best but they are still in the game.
05:09 PM BST
37 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Savinho surges into the area and tries a surprise shot that is again blocked at source.
05:07 PM BST
35 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
This has been another highly impressive performance (so far) by Nico O’Reilly. The 20-year-old has been spinning away from tackles and driving forward from left-back. He’s strong, quick and extremely comfortable on the ball.
05:06 PM BST
34 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Gibbs-White releases Hudson-Odoi on the right side of the area. He’s just offside but play is allowed to continue and Hudson-Odoi tries to find Wood in front of goal. He’s challenged desperately by Gvardiol, the ball ricochets to safety and then the flag goes up.
If Hudson-Odoi can synchronise his runs in behind with Gibbs-White passes, Forest will be in business.
05:02 PM BST
30 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Savinho’s shot from the edge of the area is blocked at source by Toffolo. Forest are having a more even share of the game now, but City’s cutting edge remains the sharper.
05:00 PM BST
28 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Lovely play from Nico O’Reilly, who has been one of the stars of City’s FA Cup campaign. He beats two or three players in midfield, one with a Zidane-style roulette, but then cracks a shot wide of goal from 25 yards.
04:56 PM BST
25 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Forest are starting to spend some quality time in the City half. Dias gives away a silly foul 45 yards from goal, which allows Forest to load the penalty area.
Murillo’s free-kick is headed across goal by Milenkovic and away by a City defender. Turns out Milenkovic was offside anyway.
04:54 PM BST
22 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
20 – With today’s opening goal, Rico Lewis (20y 157d) became the youngest player to score for Manchester City at Wembley since Steve MacKenzie in May 1981 (19y 172d in the FA Cup final v Tottenham). Blue. pic.twitter.com/5q6e3d2yqM
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 27, 2025
04:54 PM BST
21 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Better from Forest. Dominguez wins the ball high up the field and tries to put Anderson through on goal. Dias comes across to make an awkward but effective challenge on the edge of the area.
04:52 PM BST
20 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Forest have done well to stay in the game, but that’s the only positive. In possession they have been really poor, as shown again by a poor pass from Andersen that goes straight to Bernardo Silva.
04:48 PM BST
18 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Forest would have expected City to dominate possession here but this… this is extreme. Complete dominance from Guardiola’s side and Forest appear to be a little spooked by it. City have packed the central areas and Forest can’t get near them.
04:48 PM BST
15 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Marmoush runs at the teenager Abbott down the left. Then he cuts infield, plays a slick give-and-go with Grealish and shoots over from 25 yards.
Grealish is playing in a narrow position, almost as a false nine, and causing Forest a lot of problems.
04:43 PM BST
12 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
City have had 87 per cent of the possession so far. I know Forest are comfortable without the ball but that’s just silly.
04:42 PM BST
10 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Kovacic surges imperiously through midfield and into the area, forcing Murillo (I think) to hack the ball behind for a corner. In the parlance of our time, Forest are really suffering right now.
04:40 PM BST
8 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
City are in complete control, popping the ball round with the swagger of old. There’s a brief penalty appeal when the ball hits Danilo in the penalty area; replays show it came off his chest as he leaned into the ball.
04:38 PM BST
5 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Forest have started with the teenager Zach Abbott at right-back in what looks like a Christmas tree formation. So far it hasn’t worked – Morgan Gibbs-White has spent the first five minutes as a second right-back.
04:34 PM BST
Goal!
2 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1 (Lewis) A dream start for City! Kovacic moved forward from midfield, beating Gibbs-White too easily before pushing a pass towards the unmarked Lewis in the D. He took a quick touch out of his feet and rifled a low shot into the bottom corner. That’s a superb finish, but Forest gave him far too much space.
He’s one of their own 🩵
Local lad, Rico Lewis gives @ManCity the dream start ⚡️#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/0gPa7NEmNk
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
04:32 PM BST
1 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Forest kick off from right to left as we watch.
04:29 PM BST
Here come the players
There are many legitimate and understandable reasons for the City end not being sold-out today. Football is an expensive business and, to be blunt, this is nothing new for City. It’s their seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final in London.
But the end result is a huge contrast between the red half and the blue half here. All the noise and excitement is to our left, with the Forest fans. They even have all the sunlight, too.
04:24 PM BST
A reminder of the teams
Nottm Forest (possible 3-4-2-1) Sels; Abbott, Milenkovic, Murillo; Dominguez, Danilo, Anderson, Toffolo; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White; Wood.
Subs: Carlos Miguel, Morato, Sangare, Awoniyi, Alex, Jota Silva, Elanga, Sosa, Boly.
Man City (possible 4-3-3) Ortega; Matheus Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Lewis, Kovacic; Savinho, Marmoush, Grealish.
Subs: Ederson, Doku, Gonzalez, De Bruyne, Vitor Reis, Akanji, Khusanov, Foden, Gundogan.
Referee Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
04:15 PM BST
A big day for Gibbs-White
This is obviously a big day for all concerned with Nottingham Forest. This is a collective challenge. But it’s an especially big day, on an individual level, for Morgan Gibbs-White. The Forest midfielder is regarded by City as a potential option to replace the departing Kevin De Bruyne, so this is a huge opportunity for him to once again demonstrate his talent to Pep Guardiola.
04:03 PM BST
Pep Guardiola talks to ITV Sport
We’re really pleased to be here again with the chance to reach a final. It still feels special, every time.
I think we have improved a little bit [since losing at Forest] and I hope we can show that today. If we play like we did [in the league game] we are not going to reach the final.
I’m always confident before the game. Whatever happens today, it will not cancel what this group of players have done over a number of years.
Pep Guardiola gives his thoughts as @ManCity look to overcome Nottingham Forest to reach the 2024-25 #EmiratesFACup Final 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RDdGaXHeGv
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
03:57 PM BST
Nuno’s pre-match thoughts
It’s an amazing occasion, we’re delighted to be here. It means a lot to us and to our fans.
[On Zach Abbott] We had problems with injuries, and Zach is ready. He has been part of the squad and his chance is here. I told him yesterday.
[On Manchester City] We’re facing a great team, full of talent. It’s going to be tough for us.
You have to be focussed, you have to be committed. Every action counts.
“He’s ready.” 👊
Nuno Espírito Santo gives his thoughts ahead of @NFFC‘s #EmiratesFACup semi-final, as he gives a start to academy-graduate, Zach Abbott 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/yUkFy30K5f
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
03:50 PM BST
Pep’s second home
03:31 PM BST
Nottingham Forest team news
Forest make two changes from the win at Spurs on Monday. Zach Abbott, 18, starts a Forest game for only the second time, replacing the suspended Neco Williams in defence. The other change is in attack, where Callum Hudson-Odoi is preferred to Anthony Elanga.
It looks like Forest will start with a back three of Murillo, Milenkovic and Abbott. If so, Harry Toffolo and Nicolas Dominguez will be the wing-backs.
Your Forest XI for the semi-final. 👊 pic.twitter.com/LxKFmGlNbX
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 27, 2025
03:31 PM BST
Manchester City team news
Kevin De Bruyne has been left out of the City XI, one of three changes from the dramatic victory over Aston Villa. Rico Lewis, Jack Grealish and Savinho come in; Ilkay Gundogan joins De Bruyne on the bench, while James McAtee hasn’t made the matchday squad.
Your City side taking on Forest in the #FACup semi-final 👊
XI | Ortega Moreno, Nunes, Dias (C), Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Lewis, Kovacic, Bernardo, Savinho, Grealish, MarmoushSUBS | Ederson, Doku, Nico, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Reis, Akanji, Khusanov, Foden#ManCity | @etihadpic.twitter.com/EZl6FeTl8P
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 27, 2025
03:23 PM BST
Holding FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley is a joke
By Jim White
This weekend, thousands will be heading to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals. And in many ways, when Aston Villa face Crystal Palace and Manchester City take on Nottingham Forest, it will be a significant day out for the club’s fans. Unlike at the final, when large numbers of the tickets are allocated to sponsors, FA guests and corporate hangers-on, these games will be watched almost entirely by the club’s devotees. Around 35,000 from each side will file through the gates, many on their first visit to the national stadium. The atmosphere will be partisan and noisy. Exactly what you want at a game of this status.
So it may seem a little harsh to deny the faithful that opportunity. But the fact is Wembley should not even be a consideration to host the semi-finals. They belong elsewhere. More than that, to hold them at Wembley is to undermine a fundamental part of what the FA Cup is all about.
03:19 PM BST
Death threats, Roy Keane’s roly-poly and Gazza’s madness – Forest’s last great Cup run
By John Percy
Under the legendary Brian Clough, trips to Wembley once felt like annual events for Nottingham Forest. Clough guided them to the national stadium on 10 separate occasions, winning four of six League Cup finals, the Charity Shield and two Full Members’ Cups.
The FA Cup, however, was the one trophy that always eluded him. Clough never got closer to ending the curse than in 1991, and the memories have been flooding back for past Forest players.
Ahead of their clash with Manchester City – the club’s first semi-final in the competition for 34 years – those players remember their last great cup run.
Roy had scored in the quarter-final at Norwich and got into a bit of trouble with Cloughie. He celebrated with this little forward roll and after the game Cloughie said: ‘If you do that again I will personally put you in the circus’. I don’t think he ever did it again. We could tell from Roy’s first training session that he was going to be special. We were all amazed at how good he was. What a brilliant piece of recruitment, £47,000 from Cobh Ramblers.
03:18 PM BST
‘We must be honoured to be at Forest’
Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has told his players to embrace the club’s proud history ahead of the semi-final
It’s an honour to be here and see all the achievements from before. We are just dreaming and thinking that if we can repeat it we can put something in the stadium that we achieved. We must be honoured to be at Forest. There are two stars on the jersey [for the European Cups]. We feel the excitement, it’s been all around the city this week. Coaches have been outside the stadium since Friday afternoon. All the noise around us is normal but it just makes us stronger.
02:58 PM BST
Good afternoon
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live, minute-by-minute coverage of the FA Cup semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. The winners will return to Wembley next month to face Crystal Palace, who took Aston Villa apart in yesterday’s semi-final.
Today’s game is a fascinating clash of styles and recent histories. Forest have had the lowest average possession of all 20 Premier League teams; City are still top of the possession table despite their struggles. Forest are playing in their first FA Cup semi-final since 1991; City have reached this stage in each of the last final seasons.
City’s form has improved since they lost at Forest in early March. A seven-game unbeaten run doesn’t sound like much, not for a Pep Guardiola team, but it’s City longest streak since their world started to collapse last November.
Forest had an untimely blip with successive defeats against Aston Villa and Everton before returning to winning ways at Spurs on Monday night. The race for Champions League will resume when they play Brentford at home on Thursday; for now, Forest are concentrating on a rare trip to Wembley.
“We’re aware of the excitement but that shows how well the players are doing things,” said their head coach Nuno Espirito Santo. “We’re allowing people to live these special occasions again and big occasions as a club.”
Today’s match is one of Kevin De Bruyne’s last big occasions as a Manchester City player. In his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said the decision to release De Bruyne was among the toughest of his managerial career.
“There are a lot of players that come in and after they leave, they are part of my life,” he said. “It’s impossible not to feel it. It’s so difficult. I have lived a lot of things with them – a lot, good moments and terrible, bad moments. The feelings that [De Bruyne] has – I understand completely. It cannot be otherwise. I wish personally for him and his family all the best.”
Kick off 4.30pm.
A sea of red on Wembley Way 🔴#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/WQq2RHaOWi
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
This felt like a dagger to the hearts of the football romantics.
Manchester City’s season may have been painfully underwhelming by their lofty standards, but trips to Wembley are annual events and the prospect of a rare FA Cup final showpiece with two surprise cast members never appeared remotely likely.
Pep Guardiola will contest his third successive final next month and there is something about this stadium that brings the A-game out of his players.
This was City’s 30th trip to Wembley since it reopened in 2007 and they will make it No. 31 against Crystal Palace on May 17.
Contrast that to Nottingham Forest, who were making their first appearance here in a cup competition since what was then the Rumbelows Cup Final in April 1992.
Their supporters transformed Wembley Way into a sea of red and, in such a memorable season, will later reflect on an FA Cup semi-final as further evidence of their progress.
There will be inevitable frustration and disappointment. There was a nagging sense that they had shown their opponents far too much respect in the first-half, particularly in the opening 15 minutes.
Forest hit the woodwork three times in a spirited second-half response, and their fans stayed loud to the final whistle.
After fighting relegation two seasons running, Forest will now return to the task of securing a place in next season’s Champions League.
With owner Evangelos Marinakis watching on from the director’s box, these are the occasions he wants Forest to ultimately challenge for on a regular basis.
Nuno Espirito Santo, their head coach, said: “It is a sad day. It’s going to be hard but when we wake up and the sadness is gone, we know we have big things ahead of us to fight for.
“We always learn from the games, individually as a team, as a club. We have learned it’s possible that we can achieve what we want to achieve.
“This is a tough moment, we put a lot of effort into the FA Cup. All of us wanted to achieve it, tomorrow when we see what’s ahead of us it can only bring us more energy for the last moments of the season.”
While Forest will look for an instant response at home to Brentford in the Premier League on Thursday, Guardiola could still salvage his annus horribilis with a trophy.
Even Liam Gallagher was performing the famous Poznan in the posh seats as the final whistle loomed.
Liam Gallagher ⛌ The Poznan #EmiratesFACup | @ITVpic.twitter.com/jEFKpFkNZz
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 27, 2025
Mateo Kovacic was outstanding in perhaps his finest City performance yet, while two youngsters in Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis offered further optimism for the future.
Guardiola still maintains, however, that winning the FA Cup and securing another season in the Champions League will not rescue their campaign.
“Seven semi-finals in a row and three finals in a row isn’t bad,” he said.
“It speaks so highly of this generation of players and the club itself. We are so pleased we are there, we try to repair the damage.
“This season has not been good, we are a thousand million points behind Liverpool.
“Look at the Champions League. We won one game? Two games? We were always a machine and we have not been good but the damage will be minor.”
City’s supporters may have been outnumbered in the stands but it was an overload on the edge of the Forest area that enabled them to take the lead after just 111 seconds.
Kovacic was given too much space to advance towards the area, passing through the legs of Danilo to find Rico Lewis.
Forest stood off, fatally, and Lewis swept his shot into the corner from 20 yards.
FIRST BLOOD TO MANCHESTER CITY! ⚽️🩵
Rico Lewis fires the sky blues ahead – what a start 🔥#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/U4i7pMdbJ7
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 27, 2025
It was the worst possible start for Forest, and played into the hands of Guardiola.
Kovacic and Bernardo Silva were orchestrating the momentum from high up the pitch. O’Reilly, the gifted 20 year old, carried the ball into danger areas and appears to be growing with each game.
Forest did not register a single shot on or off target in the first-half. Morgan Gibbs-White, their captain, was visibly annoyed as the whistle blew.
It was no surprise that Anthony Elanga, on his 23rd birthday, was introduced to try and damage the City party.
Booed by the City fans for his past association with Manchester United, Elanga almost made an instant impact but directed Callum Hudson Odoi’s cross past the post.
Anthony Elanga ALMOST puts Forest level with his first touch! 🫨#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/EdZyiWL3gC
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 27, 2025
It proved a costly miss. Six minutes into the second half City extended their lead.
Omar Marmoush’s corner eluded Murillo and Joko Gvardiol was unmarked to head past Matz Sels.
Forest could have been blown away but did respond with an outrageous effort from Gibbs-White.
A sensational effort from Morgan Gibbs-White crashes off the bar 😱#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/DiOIXm8BmQ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
Taking Elanga’s cross on the volley 20 yards from goal, the England international’s shot crashed back off the crossbar with Stefan Ortega beaten.
Gibbs-White then struck the outside of the post moments later after Gvardiol gave away possession in the City penalty area.
Remarkably, Forest hit the woodwork for a third time in the 79th minute when substitute Taiwo Awoniyi flicked the ball onto the post after Ortega had saved brilliantly from Hudson-Odoi.
City will be back next month, and they know this place better than anyone.
06:54 PM BST
Nuno’s reaction
[Did the best team win?] Yeah. Yeah. Both teams had chances but they started much better than ourselves and they were really clinical.
I think we did well, we competed and had our chances. The boys gave it all.
Once the sadness and bad humour goes away, it’s important to take the positives from today. And we still have a lot to fight for.
[On not starting Anthony Elanga] We had a few situations so it was not easy putting a team together. We can argue [that he should have started] but we’ll never know. We had a gameplan but everything changed after the goal we conceded.
06:46 PM BST
Morgan Gibbs-White has the Forest reaction
It’s devastating. I feel sorry for the fans, I hold my hands up and apologise; I should have scored at least one. As a team we didn’t start the game well. In the second half we gave everything and the supporters never stopped until the last second. We thank them so much for that.
[On the volley that hit the bar] I’ve never hit a ball like in my life with my weak foot. As soon as it hit the crossbar I had a feeling it wasn’t our day.
[On the shot that hit the post] It was a tight angle but I think I should do better. I should score. I feel like if we get one goal, then we get another one – that was the flow of the game at that time.
The main thing we can take from today is that we showed resilience and kept fighting right to the end.
[On the omission of Anthony Elanga] We have a gameplan that everyone believes in, that everyone sticks to. I felt like we nullified them in the first half, apart from their goal. Anthony’s a massive threat for us and he showed that in the second half.
We’ve got to put this behind us and focus on the league. We’ll give it everything.
06:39 PM BST
Pep Guardiola’s reaction
Seven semi-finals in a row, three finals in a row: not bad. We played well. They are so, so dangerous on transitions but we didn’t allow them too many.
[Did you see Rico Lewis scoring when you picked him in midfield?] I’m clever but not clever enough to see that, come on. But he’s a player whose positioning in the pocket is extraordinary.
In general I liked [screws his face up] most of the things we did.
A few months ago their shots that hit the post would have gone in.
Come on, it’s so difficult to reach three FA Cup finals in a row. Perspective will taken in years to come.
Mateo Kovacic’s performances in the last three or four games have been extraordinary – he has such quality and composure. Now we have five finals: four in the league and one in the FA Cup.
Pep Guardiola showed his appreciation to the @ManCity fans at the full-time whistle 🩵#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/vfW5Ojx8HD
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
06:32 PM BST
Man City reaction
Mateo Kovacic
I think it was a deserved win for us. We started well and scored through Rico. We didn’t put the game to bed but they are a strong team and they had a few chances.
We’ve fouled ourselves again. We are getting stronger, we are 100 per cent focussed. The season hasn’t gone the way we wanted but we’re in the FA Cup final and still [in the hunt for] the top four.
I’ve lost a few FA Cup finals. Hopefully this time we can take it home!
Rico Lewis
I’m over the moon with the goal. I like playing in midfield; it’s different to coming inside from full-back. It was a tough game but we got through it at the end.
We’ve got so many players in midfield who can have the ball. Kova and Bernie are so good as the two 6s, they can keep the ball anywhere and that allows the front men to have more freedom.
We’ve showed character this season. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing but we’ve picked ourselves up when we’ve had injuries and shown we can get through tough situations.
06:27 PM BST
The screamer that wasn’t
A sensational effort from Morgan Gibbs-White crashes off the bar 😱#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/DiOIXm8BmQ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
06:24 PM BST
FT: Nottingham Forest 0 Manchester City 2
Manchester City will meet Crystal Palace in a mouthwatering FA Cup final on 17 May. They scored early in both halves through Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol, and for the first hour it was a bit of a mismatch. Forest raged furiously against the dying of their FA Cup light, hitting the woodwork three times in the last half hour, but it wasn’t their day.
🚨 @liamgallagher is doing the Poznań 🤣#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/q8AopXf5AY
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
06:23 PM BST
90+4 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Sosa is booked for a foul on the flying Doku.
06:22 PM BST
90 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Four minutes of added time. Forest have left it all out there but it looks like their FA Cup run is over.
06:18 PM BST
89 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
City substitution Mateo Kovacic, a class act and the official player of the match, is replaced by Nico Gonzalez.
06:15 PM BST
85 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
O’Reilly does brilliantly to block Elanga’s shot in the six-yard box. I don’t think it would have counted due to an offside in the build up, but he wasn’t to know that.
06:14 PM BST
84 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Three shots off the woodwork, one off the line and another put wide from around eight yards out. At least Forest can return home knowing they had a proper go in the second half here. But it really, really doesn’t seem to be their day.
06:13 PM BST
83 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Double substitution for Forest Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa replace Nicolas Dominguez and the limping Zach Abbott, who did very little wrong after his surprise selection.
06:12 PM BST
81 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Double substitution for City Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku come on for Savinho and Omar Marmoush.
06:11 PM BST
80 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Awoniyi hits the post! This is getting silly. Hudson-Odoi’s volley is blocked in the six-yard, Awoniyi hits the rebound against the post and then, seconds later, Gibbs-White’s header is pushed away dramatically by Ortega.
It came really quickly at Awoniyi, who could only throw a leg at the ball and hope for the best.
06:08 PM BST
78 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
O’Reilly is booked for bundling over Elanga.
06:07 PM BST
77 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Forest look a bit deflated after those two near misses. A brilliant run from Marmoush creates an overload on the far side, only for Savinho to overhit a simple pass to Nunes.
06:04 PM BST
73 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
A beautiful first-time pass from Kovacic leads to a bit of a scramble in the Forest area, during which Savinho and then O’Reilly have shots blocked.
06:01 PM BST
71 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Double substitution for Forest Ibrahim Sangare and Taiwo Awoniyi replace Chris Wood and Elliot Anderson.
City substitution Ilkay Gundogan is on for Jack Grealish.
06:01 PM BST
70 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Now Gibbs-White hits the post! This is extraordinary. He read Gvardiol’s heavy touch, danced round Ortega and reversed a shot towards goal from a very tight angle. It hit the inside of the far post and bounced to safety.
Even though the angle was really tight, a player of Gibbs-White’s quality should probably score.
05:59 PM BST
69 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Elanga’s pace has added so much more threat to the Forest attack. Nuno hasn’t done much wrong this season but I’m sure the main question on the minds of the Forest supporters will be why he didn’t start Elanga today…
05:56 PM BST
67 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Apparently Gibbs-White was booked in the aftermath of that volley. I’m not sure why; presumably it wasn’t for swearing at the heavens.
05:56 PM BST
65 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Gibbs-White hits the bar with a sensational volley! Elanga leads a Forest break, running the length of the field before exchanging passes with Wood. Then he crosses towards Gibbs-White, who watches the ball onto his left foot and smashes a spectacular volley from 18 yards. It beats Ortega all ends up and almost breaks the crossbar. Gibbs-White snaps his head back and roars at the heavens in frustration.
A sensational effort from Morgan Gibbs-White crashes off the bar 😱#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/DiOIXm8BmQ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
05:53 PM BST
63 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Fine save by Sels! Grealish plays a crisp return pass into Marmoush on the left side of the area. He loses his balance under pressure but manages to force a rising drive that is tipped over by Sels. Excellent reactions.
05:50 PM BST
59 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
City threw away umpteen leads during their winter of discontent but they have looked much more solid in the last six weeks. While a goal would change the mood, for now City have the game under control.
05:45 PM BST
55 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
Grealish is booked for a high challenge on Gibbs-White. Just before that, Savinho slalomed into the area and crossed low to Marmoush, who was about to shoot when the ball was taken off his toe.
05:43 PM BST
54 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2
I fear Forest will look back at Elanga’s miss at the start of the half as their big moment. It was their first shot of the game, and Elanga had only just come on, but you have to take those opportunities on occasions like this, against a team that is playing as well as City are today.
05:41 PM BST
Goal!
51 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 2 (Gvardiol) It was a temporary reprieve for Forest. Marmoush curled an excellent deep corner onto the head of Gvardiol, who powered a header past Sels from six yards. It’s another good finish but Forest will feel it was avoidable: Murillo jumped under the ball and Sels – who started to come and then changed his mind – was caught in no-man’s land.
Joško Gvardiol with a bullet header for @ManCity 💪
The delivery from Omar Marmoush 👏#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/2ukvwcxBFT
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
05:40 PM BST
50 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Double save by Sels! City want a penalty for handball against Abbott but Mats Selz has made a superb double save. He pushed Nunes’s fierce shot away, then kicked Kovacic’s follow-up off the line despite being wrongfooted.
Kovacic’s shot brushed the hand of Abbott, but it was behind his body and in a natural position for somebody who is running. No penalty.
05:37 PM BST
46 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
What a chance for Elanga! He should have equalised with his first touch! Hudson-Odoi was released down the left and crossed early towards Elanga, six yards out at the near post. He opened his body for a first-time shot but didn’t get the angle right and put it just past the near post.
05:34 PM BST
Forest substitution
Anthony Elanga comes on for Danilo, an attacking move that should mean a switch to a more orthodox 4-2-3-1 formation. It’s Elanga’s 23rd birthday.
05:30 PM BST
Elanga coming on for Forest
No surprise to see Anthony Elanga going through a vigorous warm-up during half-time. Forest have been poor in attack, but Elanga’s lightning pace should increase their chances of springing the offside trap.
05:18 PM BST
Half time: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
A very comfortable first half for City, who controlled the game after Rico Lewis’s second-minute goal gave them the perfect start.
For a while it looked like Forest would be overwhelmed. Their defence stood firm, admirably so, but they were unable to lay a glove on City at the other end.
05:16 PM BST
45 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
They are not all playing centrally today but City have effectively picked a team that features six central midfielders/playmakers. Kovacic, Bernardo, Lewis, Grealish, Nunes, O’Reilly.
05:16 PM BST
44 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Abbott, who has generally had a good half, commits a silly foul on Marmoush. Bernardo Silva’s free-kick is headed away well at the far post by Toffolo.
05:11 PM BST
39 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Lewis’s goal remains the only shot on target at either end. That will be some comfort to Forest, given how much they struggled for the first 20 or 25 minutes. They’ve been miles below their best but they are still in the game.
05:09 PM BST
37 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Savinho surges into the area and tries a surprise shot that is again blocked at source.
05:07 PM BST
35 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
This has been another highly impressive performance (so far) by Nico O’Reilly. The 20-year-old has been spinning away from tackles and driving forward from left-back. He’s strong, quick and extremely comfortable on the ball.
05:06 PM BST
34 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Gibbs-White releases Hudson-Odoi on the right side of the area. He’s just offside but play is allowed to continue and Hudson-Odoi tries to find Wood in front of goal. He’s challenged desperately by Gvardiol, the ball ricochets to safety and then the flag goes up.
If Hudson-Odoi can synchronise his runs in behind with Gibbs-White passes, Forest will be in business.
05:02 PM BST
30 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Savinho’s shot from the edge of the area is blocked at source by Toffolo. Forest are having a more even share of the game now, but City’s cutting edge remains the sharper.
05:00 PM BST
28 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Lovely play from Nico O’Reilly, who has been one of the stars of City’s FA Cup campaign. He beats two or three players in midfield, one with a Zidane-style roulette, but then cracks a shot wide of goal from 25 yards.
04:56 PM BST
25 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Forest are starting to spend some quality time in the City half. Dias gives away a silly foul 45 yards from goal, which allows Forest to load the penalty area.
Murillo’s free-kick is headed across goal by Milenkovic and away by a City defender. Turns out Milenkovic was offside anyway.
04:54 PM BST
22 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
20 – With today’s opening goal, Rico Lewis (20y 157d) became the youngest player to score for Manchester City at Wembley since Steve MacKenzie in May 1981 (19y 172d in the FA Cup final v Tottenham). Blue. pic.twitter.com/5q6e3d2yqM
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 27, 2025
04:54 PM BST
21 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Better from Forest. Dominguez wins the ball high up the field and tries to put Anderson through on goal. Dias comes across to make an awkward but effective challenge on the edge of the area.
04:52 PM BST
20 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Forest have done well to stay in the game, but that’s the only positive. In possession they have been really poor, as shown again by a poor pass from Andersen that goes straight to Bernardo Silva.
04:48 PM BST
18 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Forest would have expected City to dominate possession here but this… this is extreme. Complete dominance from Guardiola’s side and Forest appear to be a little spooked by it. City have packed the central areas and Forest can’t get near them.
04:48 PM BST
15 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Marmoush runs at the teenager Abbott down the left. Then he cuts infield, plays a slick give-and-go with Grealish and shoots over from 25 yards.
Grealish is playing in a narrow position, almost as a false nine, and causing Forest a lot of problems.
04:43 PM BST
12 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
City have had 87 per cent of the possession so far. I know Forest are comfortable without the ball but that’s just silly.
04:42 PM BST
10 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Kovacic surges imperiously through midfield and into the area, forcing Murillo (I think) to hack the ball behind for a corner. In the parlance of our time, Forest are really suffering right now.
04:40 PM BST
8 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
City are in complete control, popping the ball round with the swagger of old. There’s a brief penalty appeal when the ball hits Danilo in the penalty area; replays show it came off his chest as he leaned into the ball.
04:38 PM BST
5 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1
Forest have started with the teenager Zach Abbott at right-back in what looks like a Christmas tree formation. So far it hasn’t worked – Morgan Gibbs-White has spent the first five minutes as a second right-back.
04:34 PM BST
Goal!
2 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 1 (Lewis) A dream start for City! Kovacic moved forward from midfield, beating Gibbs-White too easily before pushing a pass towards the unmarked Lewis in the D. He took a quick touch out of his feet and rifled a low shot into the bottom corner. That’s a superb finish, but Forest gave him far too much space.
He’s one of their own 🩵
Local lad, Rico Lewis gives @ManCity the dream start ⚡️#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/0gPa7NEmNk
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
04:32 PM BST
1 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Forest kick off from right to left as we watch.
04:29 PM BST
Here come the players
There are many legitimate and understandable reasons for the City end not being sold-out today. Football is an expensive business and, to be blunt, this is nothing new for City. It’s their seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final in London.
But the end result is a huge contrast between the red half and the blue half here. All the noise and excitement is to our left, with the Forest fans. They even have all the sunlight, too.
04:24 PM BST
A reminder of the teams
Nottm Forest (possible 3-4-2-1) Sels; Abbott, Milenkovic, Murillo; Dominguez, Danilo, Anderson, Toffolo; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White; Wood.
Subs: Carlos Miguel, Morato, Sangare, Awoniyi, Alex, Jota Silva, Elanga, Sosa, Boly.
Man City (possible 4-3-3) Ortega; Matheus Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Lewis, Kovacic; Savinho, Marmoush, Grealish.
Subs: Ederson, Doku, Gonzalez, De Bruyne, Vitor Reis, Akanji, Khusanov, Foden, Gundogan.
Referee Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
04:15 PM BST
A big day for Gibbs-White
This is obviously a big day for all concerned with Nottingham Forest. This is a collective challenge. But it’s an especially big day, on an individual level, for Morgan Gibbs-White. The Forest midfielder is regarded by City as a potential option to replace the departing Kevin De Bruyne, so this is a huge opportunity for him to once again demonstrate his talent to Pep Guardiola.
04:03 PM BST
Pep Guardiola talks to ITV Sport
We’re really pleased to be here again with the chance to reach a final. It still feels special, every time.
I think we have improved a little bit [since losing at Forest] and I hope we can show that today. If we play like we did [in the league game] we are not going to reach the final.
I’m always confident before the game. Whatever happens today, it will not cancel what this group of players have done over a number of years.
Pep Guardiola gives his thoughts as @ManCity look to overcome Nottingham Forest to reach the 2024-25 #EmiratesFACup Final 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RDdGaXHeGv
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
03:57 PM BST
Nuno’s pre-match thoughts
It’s an amazing occasion, we’re delighted to be here. It means a lot to us and to our fans.
[On Zach Abbott] We had problems with injuries, and Zach is ready. He has been part of the squad and his chance is here. I told him yesterday.
[On Manchester City] We’re facing a great team, full of talent. It’s going to be tough for us.
You have to be focussed, you have to be committed. Every action counts.
“He’s ready.” 👊
Nuno Espírito Santo gives his thoughts ahead of @NFFC‘s #EmiratesFACup semi-final, as he gives a start to academy-graduate, Zach Abbott 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/yUkFy30K5f
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
03:50 PM BST
Pep’s second home
03:31 PM BST
Nottingham Forest team news
Forest make two changes from the win at Spurs on Monday. Zach Abbott, 18, starts a Forest game for only the second time, replacing the suspended Neco Williams in defence. The other change is in attack, where Callum Hudson-Odoi is preferred to Anthony Elanga.
It looks like Forest will start with a back three of Murillo, Milenkovic and Abbott. If so, Harry Toffolo and Nicolas Dominguez will be the wing-backs.
Your Forest XI for the semi-final. 👊 pic.twitter.com/LxKFmGlNbX
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 27, 2025
03:31 PM BST
Manchester City team news
Kevin De Bruyne has been left out of the City XI, one of three changes from the dramatic victory over Aston Villa. Rico Lewis, Jack Grealish and Savinho come in; Ilkay Gundogan joins De Bruyne on the bench, while James McAtee hasn’t made the matchday squad.
Your City side taking on Forest in the #FACup semi-final 👊
XI | Ortega Moreno, Nunes, Dias (C), Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Lewis, Kovacic, Bernardo, Savinho, Grealish, MarmoushSUBS | Ederson, Doku, Nico, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Reis, Akanji, Khusanov, Foden#ManCity | @etihadpic.twitter.com/EZl6FeTl8P
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 27, 2025
03:23 PM BST
Holding FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley is a joke
By Jim White
This weekend, thousands will be heading to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals. And in many ways, when Aston Villa face Crystal Palace and Manchester City take on Nottingham Forest, it will be a significant day out for the club’s fans. Unlike at the final, when large numbers of the tickets are allocated to sponsors, FA guests and corporate hangers-on, these games will be watched almost entirely by the club’s devotees. Around 35,000 from each side will file through the gates, many on their first visit to the national stadium. The atmosphere will be partisan and noisy. Exactly what you want at a game of this status.
So it may seem a little harsh to deny the faithful that opportunity. But the fact is Wembley should not even be a consideration to host the semi-finals. They belong elsewhere. More than that, to hold them at Wembley is to undermine a fundamental part of what the FA Cup is all about.
03:19 PM BST
Death threats, Roy Keane’s roly-poly and Gazza’s madness – Forest’s last great Cup run
By John Percy
Under the legendary Brian Clough, trips to Wembley once felt like annual events for Nottingham Forest. Clough guided them to the national stadium on 10 separate occasions, winning four of six League Cup finals, the Charity Shield and two Full Members’ Cups.
The FA Cup, however, was the one trophy that always eluded him. Clough never got closer to ending the curse than in 1991, and the memories have been flooding back for past Forest players.
Ahead of their clash with Manchester City – the club’s first semi-final in the competition for 34 years – those players remember their last great cup run.
Roy had scored in the quarter-final at Norwich and got into a bit of trouble with Cloughie. He celebrated with this little forward roll and after the game Cloughie said: ‘If you do that again I will personally put you in the circus’. I don’t think he ever did it again. We could tell from Roy’s first training session that he was going to be special. We were all amazed at how good he was. What a brilliant piece of recruitment, £47,000 from Cobh Ramblers.
03:18 PM BST
‘We must be honoured to be at Forest’
Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has told his players to embrace the club’s proud history ahead of the semi-final
It’s an honour to be here and see all the achievements from before. We are just dreaming and thinking that if we can repeat it we can put something in the stadium that we achieved. We must be honoured to be at Forest. There are two stars on the jersey [for the European Cups]. We feel the excitement, it’s been all around the city this week. Coaches have been outside the stadium since Friday afternoon. All the noise around us is normal but it just makes us stronger.
02:58 PM BST
Good afternoon
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live, minute-by-minute coverage of the FA Cup semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. The winners will return to Wembley next month to face Crystal Palace, who took Aston Villa apart in yesterday’s semi-final.
Today’s game is a fascinating clash of styles and recent histories. Forest have had the lowest average possession of all 20 Premier League teams; City are still top of the possession table despite their struggles. Forest are playing in their first FA Cup semi-final since 1991; City have reached this stage in each of the last final seasons.
City’s form has improved since they lost at Forest in early March. A seven-game unbeaten run doesn’t sound like much, not for a Pep Guardiola team, but it’s City longest streak since their world started to collapse last November.
Forest had an untimely blip with successive defeats against Aston Villa and Everton before returning to winning ways at Spurs on Monday night. The race for Champions League will resume when they play Brentford at home on Thursday; for now, Forest are concentrating on a rare trip to Wembley.
“We’re aware of the excitement but that shows how well the players are doing things,” said their head coach Nuno Espirito Santo. “We’re allowing people to live these special occasions again and big occasions as a club.”
Today’s match is one of Kevin De Bruyne’s last big occasions as a Manchester City player. In his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said the decision to release De Bruyne was among the toughest of his managerial career.
“There are a lot of players that come in and after they leave, they are part of my life,” he said. “It’s impossible not to feel it. It’s so difficult. I have lived a lot of things with them – a lot, good moments and terrible, bad moments. The feelings that [De Bruyne] has – I understand completely. It cannot be otherwise. I wish personally for him and his family all the best.”
Kick off 4.30pm.
A sea of red on Wembley Way 🔴#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/WQq2RHaOWi
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
