Manchester City showcased their big-game experience by comfortably overcoming a misfortunate Nottingham Forest to secure a spot in their third consecutive FA Cup final.
Pep Guardiola’s team now prepares for a Wembley showdown against Crystal Palace on May 17, even as they relinquished their four-year grip on the Premier League title after Liverpool clinched the championship with a win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
City dominated from the opening whistle on a warm day in London, aiming to cap off a mixed season by lifting the prestigious cup for the eighth time in their history.
With their fans outnumbered in the stands, City quickly silenced the Forest supporters, taking the lead just two minutes in.
Mateo Kovacic expertly picked out Rico Lewis on the edge of the box, and the 20-year-old calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Forest struggled to find their rhythm early on, while City continued to look dangerous.
Omar Marmoush linked up with Jack Grealish before firing over, and Nico O’Reilly saw an effort go wide after some neat footwork.
The visitors had a golden opportunity to equalize shortly after the break when Callum Hudson-Odoi delivered a pass across the box, but Anthony Elanga, on his 23rd birthday, blazed his first-time shot wide from just eight yards.
City punished the former Manchester United winger for that miss six minutes into the second half. Josko Gvardiol rose highest to head home from Marmoush’s corner, giving City a 2-0 lead.
Forest tried to mount a comeback but were thwarted by the woodwork on three occasions.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s brilliant volley hit the crossbar, followed by a shot from a tight angle that struck the post after he rounded goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi also saw his effort bounce off the post.
Despite a series of near-misses, including a stunning save from Ortega to deny Nicolas Dominguez’s header, Forest knew it wasn’t going to be their day, as City booked their place in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
