Manchester City have secured their place in the 2024–25 FA Cup final after a professional 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium. Early goals from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol proved enough to book City's spot in their third consecutive FA Cup final, where they will face Crystal Palace on May 17.

City wasted no time asserting their dominance, striking just two minutes into the match. Mateo Kovacic broke through Forest’s midfield line and found Rico Lewis, who calmly slotted a low shot into the bottom corner to give City an early lead. Nottingham Forest, to their credit, responded with ambition and were unlucky not to score, hitting the woodwork three times during a frustrating afternoon.

The second half saw Manchester City extend their advantage, with Josko Gvardiol heading home from a well-delivered Omar Marmoush corner in the 51st minute. That goal gave Pep Guardiola’s side much-needed breathing room as Forest continued to probe for a way back into the game.

Despite Forest’s spirited efforts, City’s defense stood firm. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega delivered a composed performance, making crucial interventions to preserve the clean sheet. It was a performance built on City’s trademark control and resilience, key attributes that have defined their domestic dominance in recent seasons.

While City's hopes of another Premier League title were dashed after Liverpool’s triumph, and their Champions League journey ended earlier than expected, the FA Cup now offers a golden opportunity to end the season with silverware. The upcoming final against Crystal Palace promises to be a thrilling encounter, with City determined to claim the historic trophy once again.

Victory at Wembley would not only salvage City's season but also underline their continued hunger for success under Guardiola, even as they transition into a new phase with emerging talents like Lewis and Gvardiol leading the way.