Chelsea had the opportunity to end a miserable season on a high when they faced Manchester City in the 2026 FA Cup final.
The Londoners started the campaign as world champions but have sacked two managers in Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior and head to Wembley under caretaker boss Calum McFarlane.
Chelsea were ninth in the Premier League and had not won a league game since early March. They also had not beaten City since the 2021 Champions League final, a run of 13 games.
City’s bid to win the Premier League and FA Cup double was set to end in failure unless Arsenal suffered a late season wobble but they could clinch both cup competitions, having beaten the Gunners in the EFL Cup final.
Stats for Chelsea v Manchester City
- Manchester City are the first team to play in four successive FA Cup finals
- Manchester City have won 22 of their last 24 FA Cup ties with the two defeats being the 2024 and 2025 finals to Manchester United and Crystal Palace respectively
- Chelsea have won eight and lost nine of their previous 17 FA Cup final appearances
- Chelsea have not scored in their last five final appearances at Wembley
