Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest to reach their third consecutive Emirates FA Cup Final is a testament to the group of players at his disposal.
Rico Lewis put City ahead inside two minutes as part of an assured midfield performance from the homegrown talent, before Josko Gvardiol headed in a second shortly after half time.
It sealed City’s place in a third straight Emirates FA Cup Final in their seventh successive semi-final appearance in the competition, and Guardiola paid tribute to the impressive achievement.
He said: “Seven semi-finals in a row, three finals – the volume speaks so highly of this generation of players and this club itself. We are really pleased we are there.
“If you said three years ago you would reach three FA Cup Finals in a row, come on. It's amazing.”
Lewis was a surprise inclusion in central midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic, with Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan amongst those on the bench, but both more than merited their selection.
Kovacic put in a controlling performance that saw him named Player of the Match while Lewis once again proved his positional versatility with a mature midfield showing that he capped with a crucial early goal.
Pep Guardiola showed his appreciation to the @ManCity fans at the full-time whistle 🩵#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/vfW5Ojx8HD
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 27, 2025
It allowed City to control the contest from the off, particularly the first half, and Guardiola was pleased with the way his tactical decision played out.
“Our process was a little bit better,” he said. “I didn’t want it to be an open game with Hudson-Odoi, Elanga, Wood, Gibbs-White.
“It helped us to score a goal in the first minute, but even with that we continued to play with that tempo.
“Rico helps us a lot as an inverted full back inside, but I think his perfect position is a pocket because he moves in the small spaces like Phil [Foden]. He has the ability in the small spaces and to be aggressive in the next section.
“I don’t have any doubts about it. I gave him a chance to prove his quality and he proved it.”
Defeat for Forest did not come without a number of chances, with second-half substitute Anthony Elanga narrowly missing from close range just a few minutes before Gvardiol got City’s crucial second.
Morgan Gibbs-White hit both the bar and the post, while Taiwo Awoniyi also struck the woodwork, but it was not enough to set up a nervy finish.
It left manager Nuno Espirito Santo ruing his side’s slow start, but the Portuguese was pleased with the way his team applied themselves despite defeat.
“We started really badly. City started really well and they scored the first chance, which makes everything hard,” he said.
“We took a little time to feel comfortable and to adjust, but after that we did a good game.
“First half was more difficult, but second half the momentum changed a little bit, and we had a couple of chances that could have made a different story.
“It is a sad day, it is going to be hard but tomorrow 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. We have learned that it is possible to achieve what we want to achieve. I am very thankful with the way the fans stayed to the end to applaud.”
