Man City Edge Past Forest to Reach Another FA Cup Final

Rico Lewis celebrates scoring for Manchester City. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Manchester City booked their spot in another FA Cup final with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at Wembley. Goals from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol sealed the victory, though City had to survive a late Forest onslaught that saw the underdogs hit the woodwork three times.

Manchester City continued their love affair with Wembley Stadium, reaching yet another FA Cup final by overcoming Nottingham Forest 2-0 in a dramatic semi-final clash.

City struck early and never looked back, with academy star Rico Lewis firing them ahead inside just two minutes. Collecting a short pass from Mateo Kovacic outside the box, Lewis coolly guided his shot into the bottom corner to ignite the blue half of Wembley.

Pep Guardiola’s side dominated possession throughout the first half, pushing Forest deep into their own half. Despite controlling 74% of the ball, they struggled to carve out clear chances beyond Lewis’ opener, registering a modest xG of 0.27 at the break.

Forest, meanwhile, failed to muster a single shot before halftime and went into the dressing room fortunate to be just one goal down.

After the break, City wasted little time in doubling their advantage. In the 51st minute, Omar Marmoush delivered a pinpoint corner, and Josko Gvardiol rose highest to power a header past Matz Sels, seemingly ending Forest’s hopes of a historic comeback.

But Nuno Espirito Santo’s men refused to fold. Shifting into an all-out attack, Forest peppered City’s goal with a series of near-misses. Morgan Gibbs-White was at the heart of their fightback, hitting the crossbar with a stunning volley, then striking the post moments later after rounding goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

City had to survive several nervous moments, but ultimately their early clinical finishing was enough. Nottingham Forest’s 34-year wait for an FA Cup final appearance goes on, while City now have the chance to salvage silverware from a season that has seen them relinquish their Premier League title to Liverpool.

Next, City will face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final next month, with Guardiola’s men seeking a second FA Cup triumph in three years. Before that, attention returns to the Premier League, where Nottingham Forest host Brentford and Manchester City welcome Wolves in crucial top-five battles.

From Wembley Stadium, that’s all for now – but the story of Manchester City’s season still has one more chapter to be written.