Xabi Alonso demands emerge after Chelsea talks progress over new manager role
Why the FA Cup final no one wanted says so much about the modern game
Pep Guardiola, the FA Cup final, Wembley... and a fitting send-off?
FA Cup final: Chelsea v Man City
- Chelsea beaten by Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley
- Antoine Semenyo's backheel sends City into lead and secures victory
- City add FA Cup to domestic titles following Carabao Cup win early this season
- Guardiola confirms he will be managing Man City next season
Joe Cole reacts to Manchester City's win
17:02 , James Hicken“When you have that quality - Semenyo, Haaland, you can bring Cherki off the bench, I think they are the best team in Europe at the moment on current form.
“They just had a little bit too much in the end, you have to give them credit. The goal is a little bit of genius, on the biggest stage.”
Full Time: Chelsea 0 - 1 Manchester City
17:00 , James HickenHow did City win? The stats vs Chelsea
Possession: 56% vs 44%
Shots: 9 vs 6
Shots on target: 4 vs 1
Successful final third passes: 93 vs 59
Won tackle %: 85 vs 54
Goalkeeper saves: 0 vs 4
Time to celebrate for those in Sky Blue
16:59 , James Hicken
Full Time: Chelsea 0 - 1 Manchester City
16:57 , James HickenFT: Manchester City are your FA Cup champions!
Chelsea gave their all in the final stages of this game but it was not enough against the better team on the day.
Chelsea 0 - 1 Manchester City
16:47 , James Hicken84 mins: Three consecutive chances for City.
Caicedo makes a desperate stop of O’Reilly’s cross towards Haaland.
Nunes hits one which strikes Sanchez before hitting the post.
Cherki strikes from outside the box and Sanchez is forced to save again.
Chelsea are lucky to have not conceded there.
Chelsea 0 - 1 Manchester City
16:43 , James Hicken82 mins: Reece James will make way for Liam Delap as a last attempt by McFarlane to get one back.
Chelsea 0 - 1 Manchester City
16:41 , James Hicken80 mins: Chelsea are hammering away at Manchester City’s defence but can get nothing to go.
City are displaying impressive scramble defence.
Chelsea 0 - 1 Manchester City
16:39 , James Hicken73 mins: Close!!
Enzo Fernandez’s attempt lands on the roof of the net
Callum McFarlane makes an immediate response moving to a back four and bringing on Pedro Neto for Cucurella
This game is livening up
It's not been a vintage cup final
16:39 , Miguel Delaney at WembleyIt has not been a vintage cup final but that is a vintage cup final goal, as Antoine Semenyo back-heels in a potential winner.
“And in the same way that the ball was going in the wrong direction for the forward, this was also against the run of play.
“Chelsea had been on top but a City break eventually saw Haaland cut in from the right. The pass was not great but Semenyo still knew what to do with it.”
One of the great FA Cup goals?
16:36 , Richard Jolly at WembleyOne of the great FA Cup final goals?
“Certainly that seemed one of the most audacious. A brilliant flick by Antoine Semenyo.”
Goal! Chelsea 0 - 1 Manchester City
16:34 , James Hicken72 mins: What a special finish from Antoine Semenyo!
It won’t be his first final goal but Haaland grabs an assist to break the deadlock.
Haaland plays a low driven cross and Semenyo plays the most deft and instinctive backheel finish to give City the lead
Chelsea have livened up
16:30 , Miguel Delaney at WembleyAfter a very tepid first half, Chelsea have really livened up.
“City haven't got their press right since the first half-hour and Chelsea just keep puncturing holes in their backline.
“It did lead to some James Trafford panic and a chance from a corner, but the game still waiting for that big breakthrough.”
On comes Kovacic
16:26 , Richard Jolly at WembleyOn comes Mateo Kovacic, once sent off in an FA Cup final while playing for Chelsea.
“The Croatian has a very good record of winning the Champions League, but a less good one of triumphing in FA Cup finals.”
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
16:24 , James Hicken56 mins: Abdukodir Khusanov given a yellow card for a late challenge on Cucurella, giving Chelsea a free kick that can be whipped into the box.
There is a penalty shout for handball off O’Reilly, but the referee decides its just a corner
Why were Chelsea denied a penalty after Joao Pedro appeal in FA Cup final first half?
16:20 , Jack Rathborn“I'm not sure he can get out of the way of Joao Pedro, I don't think VAR will do anything with that, I think he stands firm, stands in his way, and I think that's really good defending,” Alan Shearer said on co-commentary duties on the BBC.
Why were Chelsea denied a penalty after Joao Pedro appeal in FA Cup final?
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
16:18 , James Hicken54 mins: Oh dear...
James Trafford received the ball and had a lapse in concentration and let the ball run out of play - gifting Chelsea a corner.
They could not capitalise on the free chance.
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
16:15 , James HickenEngland manager Thomas Tuchel is in attendance no doubt with a very keen on the English players out on the pitch ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
16:12 , James Hicken47 mins: Cherki almost made an instant impact, finding Nico O’Reilly with a lovely pass and O’Reilly hangs up a wonderful ball for Semenyo at the back post.
Semenyo ascends above Cucurella but can only put the header just over the bar.
Second Half underway: Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
16:09 , James Hicken46 mins: Guardiola makes a singular change at half time, bringing off Marmoush who had looked a bit at sea in the first half. He makes way for the mercurial Rayan Cherki.
Chelsea remain the same.
HT: Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
16:07 , James HickenSome action shots from the first half
The case for Cherki
15:59 , Richard Jolly at WembleyThe most incisive pass of the match by a City player has come from centre-back Marc Guehi when he released Erling Haaland a couple of minutes ago. That may underline the case to bring on Cherki.”
Half time: Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:54 , James HickenHT: A slow first half characterised by a lack of clear cut chances, if you had to pick one, you would say that City were probably the team on top.
Changes might be on for City during the break.
Chelsea were hanging on in the first stanzas of that half, but showed a bit more impetus in the final 15 minutes to match City’s intensity and create a chance or two.
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:54 , James Hicken45 + 1 mins: A penalty shout as Joao Pedro is played through but Khusanov uses his exceptional physicality to push Pedro off the ball, who goes down.
It is almost immediately checked and cleared by VAR
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:46 , James Hicken40 mins: A period of about five minutes of sustained pressure from Chelsea including multiple trips into the City box has been rewarded with a corner.
Its brought to an end as they concede a free kick, but Chelsea are looking for a stronger finish to the half.
A poor game of football
15:43 , Miguel Delaney10 minutes from half-time and this has been a poor game of football. Very few chances, Chelsea digging in.
“It was maybe summed up by a moment when Cole Palmer seemed to be striding through well... only to lose the ball.
“At the other end, Erling Haaland had an opening on the left and was bearing down on goal, but then bizarrely opted to hammer the ball across the box.”
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:37 , James Hicken32 mins: A professional foul from Cucurella, chopping down Semenyo on the counter attack.
He is the second man to be booked.
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:35 , James Hicken29 mins: Enzo Fernandez is the first man to booked as he made an initially good tackle on Doku before following up with a more cynical challenge on Bernardo Silva, which earned him a yellow card from Darren England.
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:33 , James Hicken27 mins: Goal! or not
It looked as though Haaland had finally secured his first final goal for City as Nunes played in a wonderful cross to the Norwegian who slotted it in at the back post.
But Nunes was called back for offside from the previous pass he received from Semenyo
Thomas Tuchel is here
15:31 , Richard Jolly at WembleyChelsea are playing a 3-4-2-1 formation. They were the last time they beat City, too, and the manager responsible for that win is here today.
“Thomas Tuchel may have fond memories of the 2021 Champions League final.”
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:30 , James Hicken24 mins: Concerning scenes for Chelsea as Caicedo dropped to the ground holding his ankle.
He made it back to his feet but the physio will be keeping a keen eye on him for the next few minutes.
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:27 , James Hicken22 mins: Joao Pedro found by a counter attacking through ball but slips inside the 18 yard box as he takes his shot and Trafford collects it comfortably.
Signs of life and as Joe Cole predicted, the counter attack is looking like Chelsea’s way forward.
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:25 , James Hicken20 mins: Chelsea win a corner
Reece James finds a lovely weighted pass to the over lapping Gusto who puts in a searching ball, forcing a clearance from Nunes
City have had control
15:23 , Miguel Delaney at WembleyCity have had pretty much all the control so far, but the likely pattern of the game was illustrated with a Chelsea breakaway. It feels like we're going to see a lot of that.”
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:23 , James Hicken17 mins: There is a nice battle heating up between Semenyo and Cucurella here.
The left-back will need to keep it cool as he is given a slap on the wrist by referee Darren England for shouting at the linesman
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:18 , James Hicken14 mins: Semenyo takes on Cucurella and plays a wonderful ball across the face of goal, but no one in sky blue is there to meet it.
Missed opportunity.
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:15 , James Hicken9 mins: Jeremy Doku whips in a ball to the back post off a short corner and Nunes takes a headed attempt at goal that is deflected.
It is ends with a free kick to Chelsea courtesy of Erling Haaland.
City on top, but Chelsea holding.
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:13 , James Hicken6 mins: Antoine Semenyo cuts in on his left foot and takes a deflected shot which bounces up to Marmoush who tries a flick with the outside of his right boot just outside the six yard box
City take the first shot on target.
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:11 , James Hicken5 mins: A neat flick from Joao Pedro sends Marc Cucurella down the left wing in their first flash of attacking intent, but the Spaniard is muscled off the ball my Matheus Nunes
Chelsea boss Calum McFarlane eyes second ever victory as manager
15:11 , Richard Jolly at Wembley StadiumCalum McFarlane has only ever won one game as a manager. It was an FA Cup semi-final, notes Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly at Wembley Stadium.
Win today, don't beat Tottenham or Sunderland and he could leave management with his only two victories coming at Wembley and in an FA Cup semi-final and final respectively.
Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:06 , James Hicken1 mins: Chelsea, as expected, fall back into a back five and Omar Marmoush is playing alongside Erling Haaland at the top for City.
Kick off: Chelsea 0 - 0 Manchester City
15:04 , James HickenCole Palmer gets us underway in this highly anticipated 2026 FA Cup final.
Kick off just moments away
14:59 , James HickenThe players are lined up and prepared to listen to the national anthem before they shake hands and commence battle for the oldest trophy in English football
Wembley atmosphere ignites FA Cup final
14:57 , Miguel Delaney at Wembley StadiumAbide with Me today done in quite moving fashion by the Bradford group, Bantam of the Opera, and it feels like it's finally got the atmosphere going here at Wembley, notes Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney at Wembley Stadium.
It caused people to flood to their seats - admittedly a fair few on the concourses were distracted by the Scottish title race!
City flex their strength in depth with FA Cup final selection
14:47 , Richard Jolly at Wembley StadiumPep Guardiola is no stranger to surprise selections and, while Omar Marmoush has scored in his last two games, few expected him to start today; particularly, perhaps, as he missed a penalty in last season's final, writes Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly at Wembley Stadium.
It is also a sign of Manchester City's strength in depth that Josko Gvardiol, Nico Gonzalez, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rico Lewis are not even on the bench.
Chelsea and Man City players warm up for FA Cup final
14:43 , Jack Rathborn
Joe Cole pinpoints three Chelsea players who must play well to win FA Cup
14:41 , Jack Rathborn“At the back end of last season, he was among the best in the country,” Joe Cole tells TNT Sports.
“He came back last week against Liverpool and it was like he’d never been away.
“Reece was fantastic, Enzo, Reece and Levi... they’re your three players. they have to play well.”
McFarlane wants trophy and Europe but recognises it does not solve their problems
14:27 , James Hicken“It’s a great occasion, its a massive privilege to lead such a big club out in a massive game - so looking forward to it,
“It would be positive to win this game, to guarantee Europe and to win silverware which this club is massively known for. It would be a little bit of a salvage but we know that we need to be better in the league.”
Manchester City starting XI
14:12 , James HickenCity fans will be elated as their Ballon D’or winner, Rodri will start.
Your FA Cup final line-up! 💪🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 16, 2026
XI | Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo (C), Semenyo, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Donnarumma, Dias, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Cherki, Savinho, Foden
🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/VmKbV57Pr0
Manchester City arrive
14:10 , James HickenLast year’s runners-up take to the pitch ahead of what promises to be a riveting FA Cup final
Chelsea starting XI
14:07 , James HickenHere is how Chelsea will line up against Manchester City.
Lining up for Chelsea! 💪#CFC | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/1IllsmOwHc
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 16, 2026
Pep confirms he will be managing Manchester City next season
14:02 , James HickenGuardiola seemed fed up with the question, surrounding all the speculation of his departure, but it no longer seems that this will be his farewell to the FA Cup.
“Yeah,” Guardiola shrugged to the BBC reporter. “I’m here, I have a contract...oh my god, people have asked me that question for a long, long time.
“I know the answer and you should know the answer, you know I’m here.”
Pep Guardiola, the FA Cup final, Wembley... and a fitting send-off?
14:00 , Richard JollyPep Guardiola called it the “cathedral of football”. And if he can reach for the religious in other descriptions – famously saying of Barcelona that his mentor Johan Cruyff “built the cathedral” – Wembley also assumes a huge part in his history.
It was there, in 1992, that he became part of the first Barcelona team to win the European Cup and there, in 2011, that his Barcelona team produced what still ranks among the finest performances in a European Cup final; Manchester United were flattered by the scoreline in their 3-1 defeat.
Now Guardiola returns to the cathedral, perhaps for the last time. The FA Cup final will be his 24th visit with Manchester City alone. There are England managers who have been in the Wembley dugouts fewer times than Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola, the FA Cup final, Wembley... and a fitting send-off?
Rodri wants to secure his second FA cup for City fans
13:54 , James Hicken“We want to win it because of the fans, because of the club,” Rodri said. “It is the oldest competition, it’s so special for me and this country so it means a lot. We have a tough opponent today, which has had ups and downs in the season but right now I think they are very very dangerous.”
Chelsea players take to the pitch
13:45 , James Hicken
Moises Caicedo relishing the opportunity to win some silverware
13:42 , James Hicken"It's a massive day for us, we are so happy to be here,” Caicedo explained. “For sure it'll be a great battle out there. For sure we want to win that trophy. Everybody is happy in the dressing room and we're looking forward to it. It means a lot to be here."
First fans arriving in the stadium
13:34 , James Hicken
Pep's FA Cup record
13:27 , James HickenGuardiola has an impressive FA cup record with two title wins, 45 games won, one drawn and only seven lost.
He has the best win percentage of any top division manager, winning 85% of his 53 total games. The next closest contender, Thomas Tuchel, has only been in 12 FA Cup games with 80% of those games won.
The gulf in managerial experience
13:14 , James HickenCallum McFarlane has been in charge of a total of 5 games in his managerial career.
Guardiola has won more trophies than McFarlane has managed games - but if he can pull of what will be an upset against one of the greatest managers of all time, it will be the biggest day of his career.
Chelsea and City's Wembley success
13:07 , James HickenOnly Manchester City (16) have won more games at the new Wembley Stadium as a neutral venue than Chelsea (15) since it opened in 2007.
Chelsea will be hoping to level that score today.
Why the FA Cup final no one wanted says so much about the modern game
13:00 , Miguel DelaneyIn another era, Calum McFarlane’s appearance at Wembley would be viewed as a vintage piece of FA Cup lore. Here he is on English football’s national day, with the chance to be the first English manager to win the competition since Harry Redknapp in 2008, and in just his sixth game as a coach.
Donning the suit for the final was an image that so many managers long dreamed of. Brian Clough famously only got to do it two years from retirement, and never won the FA Cup. A novice like McFarlane now stands 90 minutes from glory, with the challenge of having to out-coach a great like Pep Guardiola only adding to the story.
Why the FA Cup final no one wanted says so much about the modern game
Chelsea vs Man City all-time head-to-head
12:54 , James HickenChelsea wins: 79
Man City wins: 69
Draws: 42
Cole and Gerrard on Chelsea counter attack: "That's the only way Chelsea can win"
12:50 , James HickenThe pair of Premier League legends identified that Chelsea will have to be patient and wait for their opportunities to go back at City and be clinical in the final third.
Gerrard said: “Those are going to be Chelsea’s moments to go and hurt city the other way because city attack with so many numbers.”
Cole agreed: “For me, that’s the only way Chelsea can win”
Man City hoping to confirm at least a domestic double
12:40 , James HickenPep and his men have already won the Carabao cup this season, beating their prem title rivals Arsenal 1-0.
They return to Wembley to try and collect their second domestic trophy this season and third FA cup in what could be Guardiola’s final season with the club.
A treble is still not out of the question, but two points behind with two games left in the Premier League, a focus on lifting every available trophy to end the season as successfully as possible, will be paramount for City.
Chelsea's domestic trophy drought
12:23 , James HickenThe Blues have not won a domestic trophy since their FA Cup Triumph in 2018, beating Manchester United 1-0.
Strangely, however, they have won three European trophies in that time - the Europa League in 2019, the Champions League in 2021 and the Conference League last year.
City seeming unbeatable to Chelsea
12:04 , James HickenSince the 2020-21 Champions League final, when Chelsea beat City 1-0 courtesy of a Kai Havertz goal, they have not beaten their FA Cup final opponents in any of their 13 games in all competitions.
Marc Guehi and an FA Cup campaign like no other: ‘My football life is just crazy’
12:00 , Richard JollyMarc Guehi stands on the brink of a rare double in the FA Cup. He has, however, already completed one. Few can testify more to the highs and lows the oldest competition of them all offers, the combination of ecstasy and ignominy.
In consecutive appearances in the competition, the England defender helped inflict one of the greatest shocks in an FA Cup final and then suffered one of the biggest in any round. Guehi’s return to Wembley on Saturday is complicated, and not merely because he faces his former club Chelsea.
Marc Guehi and an FA Cup campaign like no other: ‘My football life is just crazy’
Chelsea vs Man City latest odds
11:50 , Mike JonesAccording to betting sites Manchester City are the favourites to win the FA Cup this afternoon and complete the domestic double. But can Chelsea stop them?
Chelsea to win - 7/2
Draw - 29/10
Man City to win - 8/11
Latest odds from bet365.
Erling Haaland looking to break his finals goal curse.
11:47 , James HickenThe Norwegian has played in nine finals, including the Community Shield, for City and has yet to hit the back of the net in 15 attempts.
The last time Haaland netted in a final was for his former club Borussia Dortmund against RB Leipzig in May 2021 in the German DFB Pokal, when he grabbed two goals.
Can Chelsea end their run of defeats?
11:36 , Mike JonesThis is Chelsea’s 17th FA Cup final, the third most after Manchester United (22) and Arsenal (21).
They’ve won eight and lost eight of their final appearances so far, losing each of their last three in a row.
A record for City
11:24 , Mike JonesManchester City are the first team to play in four consecutive FA Cup finals, beating Man Utd in 2023 before losing to the Red Devils in 2024 and Crystal Palace in 2025.
Only Chelsea (2020 to 2022) have ever lost the FA Cup final in three consecutive campaigns.
Pep Guardiola, the FA Cup final, Wembley... and a fitting send-off?
11:12 , Richard JollyPep Guardiola called it the “cathedral of football”. And if he can reach for the religious in other descriptions – famously saying of Barcelona that his mentor Johan Cruyff “built the cathedral” – Wembley also assumes a huge part in his history.
It was there, in 1992, that he became part of the first Barcelona team to win the European Cup and there, in 2011, that his Barcelona team produced what still ranks among the finest performances in a European Cup final; Manchester United were flattered by the scoreline in their 3-1 defeat.
Now Guardiola returns to the cathedral, perhaps for the last time. The FA Cup final will be his 24th visit with Manchester City alone. There are England managers who have been in the Wembley dugouts fewer times than Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola, the FA Cup final, Wembley... and a fitting send-off?
Chelsea vs Manchester City
11:00 , Mike JonesChelsea take on vs Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final as both teams look to add to their hefty tallies in the competition.
The Blues, who have won the FA Cup eight times with eight different managers, are looking to make it nine in nine at Wembley with interim boss Calum McFarlane in charge. Chelsea beat Leeds 1-0 in their semi-final courtesy of Enzo Fernandez’s header.
Seven-time winners City, meanwhile, are in their fourth consecutive Cup final but have lost their last two against Manchester United and Crystal Palace. City edged past Championship side Southampton in the semi-finals with Nico Gonzalez scoring a late screamer to win the game.
City outclassed Chelsea in their last encounter, winning 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, but cause for optimism lies in McFarlane’s personal record against Pep Guardiola: in a match at the Etihad in January, Chelsea earned a 1-1 draw.
Man City's early team news
10:48 , Mike JonesRodri remains a doubt for City’s fourth Cup final in a row, while Josko Gvardiol will be in the squad after returning to action against Crystal Palace.
James Trafford, City’s domestic cup goalkeeper, is set to play over No 1 Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Chelsea's early team news
10:36 , Mike JonesLevi Colwill and Reece James are close to full fitness and could feature in Saturday’s final.
Alejandro Garnarcho, Pedro Neto and Robert Sanchez have also all trained this week after recent injuries and are in line to play at Wembley.
Pedro Neto in line to be fit for Chelsea in FA Cup final
10:29 , Jack Rathborn
Guardiola jokes Wembley should name a stand after him
10:24 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola will be taking charge of his 24th match at Wembley Stadium this afternoon and joked that he has been to the ground so often he should have a stand named after him.
“Yeah, I’m so disappointed English football that they don’t make a stand to Pep!” said the Man City boss.
“Many times I’ve been there, at least a lounge or a box or something like that. Maybe I go 24 more times. It’s a special place definitely.
“Since Barcelona when we won the first Champions League with my club. And after with United in the second time with Barcelona as a manager and many times since I am here we going there semi-finals, finals, win, lose, lose, win.
“It’s really good to go to Wembley again at 3pm, FA Cup, the two teams with the two managers. And [the organisation] is really good. It’s a good game, it’s top.”
McFarlane 'happy' with Chelsea players
10:12 , Mike Jones“I’ve actually been happy with the whole group, the way the whole group has responded,” said Calum McFarlane who was speaking about the reaction from the Chelsea players after Liam Rosenior was sacked.
“Players in the squad, players out of the squad. The level of professionalism that’s been shown at all times.
“There’s obviously players with great experience in there who have played in big competitions, had big moments in their career. You want their opinion, to know how they feel about the game.
“You want to have that dialogue with those players. I have that with pretty much the whole squad.”
Why the FA Cup final no one wanted says so much about the modern game
10:00 , Miguel DelaneyIn another era, Calum McFarlane’s appearance at Wembley would be viewed as a vintage piece of FA Cup lore. Here he is on English football’s national day, with the chance to be the first English manager to win the competition since Harry Redknapp in 2008, and in just his sixth game as a coach.
Donning the suit for the final was an image that so many managers long dreamed of. Brian Clough famously only got to do it two years from retirement, and never won the FA Cup. A novice like McFarlane now stands 90 minutes from glory, with the challenge of having to out-coach a great like Pep Guardiola only adding to the story.
Why the FA Cup final no one wanted says so much about the modern game
Guardiola on City's Wembley gameplan
09:48 , Mike JonesManchester City boss Pep Guardiola spoke ahead of today’s FA Cup final and revealed what message he had given his players for the game.
“The message is how we have to move, run, play against Chelsea to beat them,” Guardiola said.
“This is the message. The message is [this is the] FA Cup final, at Wembley, with two prestigious clubs, with our fans that make an effort, an incredible effort to come down to London [and it is] not cheap.
“And go to support us and try to perform as best as possible to win. And always there is a game plan you have to do.”
When is the FA Cup final?
09:36 , Mike JonesChelsea vs Man City is due to kick off at 3pm BST on Saturday, 16 May at Wembley Stadium.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BBC One, BBCiPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Coverage starts at 1:15pm.
Coverage will also be on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and HBO Max, starting at 9am.
'I'm sure I'll feel the emotions'
09:24 , Mike JonesManaging a team in the FA Cup final is not something that comes around too often and for Calum McFarlane he is unsure how he’ll feel today.
The interim Chelsea boss said: “I can’t tell you exactly how I’m going to feel on the day.
“I’ll try to make it as normal as possible. I’ve taken a few games now at this level. Not a game of this magnitude.
“I’ll try and stay as level as possible. The players, the process, the way we work will be the same. I’m sure I’ll feel a lot of emotions on that day.”
Calum McFarlane has chance to impress with Chelsea FA Cup final win
09:12 , Mike JonesChelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane will be aiming to impress his in-laws by lifting the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday.
The family of the stand-in boss’s partner are long-standing Blues season ticket holders and will be there to see his team take on Manchester City.
“My girlfriend’s family are massive Chelsea fans,” said McFarlane. “Her dad and uncles have been season ticket holders for 50 years. She’s a massive Chelsea fan.
“They’re very proud. It means a lot to all Chelsea fans. It’s a massive game. I hope we can put in a performance for all the fans.”
FA Cup final: Chelsea v Man City
08:54 , Michael JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s FA Cup final.
It’s a huge day in the footballing calendar as two Premier League heavyweights take to the pitch at Wembley to face off for the biggest domestic trophy in the country.
For Chelsea, victory would ease concerns that they will miss out on a place in Europe next year as well as give them some silverware despite a difficult campaign this year.
For City, they can secure a domestic double having also won the Carabao Cup back in March. Pep Guardiola’s men swept Arsenal aside on that day but can they defeat another London club this time around?
We’ll have all the updates throughout the day so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 3pm.
