Dorothy

This was Guardiola’s 17th major trophy in 10 years at City and his 35th in his career overall.

In his 10 years at City, Guardiola has now won 17 major trophies plus three Community Shields. So, a double of sorts per season, on average.

The forward brought to life a final that had produced little in the way of chances or excitement with a spectacular back-heeled goal in the second half.

Running onto a cross from Erling Haaland in the 72nd minute, Semenyo flicked his heel at the ball and directed it low into the far corner past diving Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea interim coach Calum McFarlane agreed. "For me it’s a one in 100 goal," he said. "For me, no, there’s not much more you can do to defend it."

City have won the Cup eight times and moved level with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham as equal third on the all-time winners’ list.

Defeat means Chelsea will end the season trophyless – a year after being crowned Club World Cup champions – in what has been a crisis-ridden campaign.

After firing two coaches since the turn of the year, Chelsea went into the final with a novice on the sideline in McFarlane, a former youth coach taking charge of only his seventh first team game.

“Being able to lift another trophy at Wembley, where we have played so many times, is such a special feeling, one I never take for granted,” Bernardo said. “To do so as captain makes this one of the best days of my career.”

Chelsea has lost its last four FA Cup finals, tying Leicester's record for consecutive losses.

Guardiola was congratulated by Prince William as he went to collect his winners' medal. Afterwards the City manager gazed around Wembley at the celebrating fans.

There has been growing speculation that this could be his final season at City; he has yet to confirm his plans.

There has been speculation all season that Guardiola could stand down as City manager this summer after a decade in charge.

There will be a temptation to look for clues here. Nobody really knows if Guardiola is leaving Manchester City at the end of the season. Contract extension brinkmanship is nothing new, although not with quite so much whispered chat about assistants on the move and leaked replacement plans.

With Guardiola's future also uncertain, the Spaniard may well end his decade-long tenure in the same magical way next Sunday against Villa.

And yet, there is of course still glory here, even in a game like this one, which kicked off with 45 minutes of non-football. For long periods Chelsea basically did nothing. Understandably so. Right now this feels like a club where everyone always wants to leave all the time, like some terrible rooftop drinks party where people are constantly checking their phones, muttering about the exits, waiting for their car to come.