In a rather uneventful FA Cup final held at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, Manchester City edged out Chelsea with a narrow victory, showcasing their resilience despite an underwhelming season. The match highlighted a lack of excitement, with both teams combining for just five shots on target and a mere 1.16 expected goals. The only moment of celebration came in the final 20 minutes, emphasizing City's dominance even in a lackluster performance.

While this version of City might not match the flair of previous squads, they still managed to control the game, limiting Chelsea to just one shot on target. The contrasting fortunes of the two teams were evident, with Chelsea struggling to find form throughout the season.

A key narrative of City's season revolves around Erling Haaland, who has seen a dip in his scoring consistency. During the final, he recorded only 12 touches and one shot with an expected goals value of 0.08. However, City found a reliable alternative in Antonie Semenyo, who scored his 10th goal since joining from Bournemouth in January, showcasing his impact on the team.

Semenyo's contributions have been crucial, particularly as Haaland's form fluctuated. Despite a significant investment of around $600 million on transfers over the last three windows, City has managed to adapt, with Semenyo and defender Marc Guehi providing much-needed support.

Looking ahead, City aims to enhance their attacking prowess with the addition of Rayan Cherki, alongside a potential resurgence from Haaland. Even on a subdued day, Haaland’s assist to Semenyo demonstrated his ability to contribute to the team's success, encapsulating the essence of City’s season: winning despite challenges.