LONDON — Bernardo Silva said Manchester City still had a “small dream” of winning the English Premier League after beating Chelsea 1-0 in FA Cup final to seal a domestic cup double.
Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal of a largely disappointing game at Wembley, producing a moment of magic in the 72nd minute to unlock the Chelsea defence.
Erling Haaland, who worked hard all game with little reward, crossed for Semenyo, who produced a brilliant right-foot flicked finish across Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez, AFP reported.
The long-serving Silva, leaving City at the end of the season, said he was delighted to add another trophy to his huge collection since arriving at the Etihad in 2017.
“Very special. I am really happy. Everything about my journey here at Man City was fantastic,” the City captain told the BBC.
“Hopefully we can still have a small dream that we can fight for the Premier League.
“Today we are very happy. It is just special for me, being my last season to give them another trophy. Hopefully, not the last one.”
City, who won the League Cup in March, trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by two points with two games to go.
The Gunners host relegated Burnley on Monday while City travel to Bournemouth the following day.
Portugal midfielder Silva, 31, hailed City manager Pep Guardiola’s influence on his career, saying he had “changed the way” he saw football.
“Eighty percent of my career was with him as my manager,” he said. “All the things I hoped to achieve were with him.
“The relationship we have got is very strong with the frustrations and the achievements. I care a lot about Man City.”
Match-winner Semenyo, who joined the club from Bournemouth in January, said celebrations would be muted with the Premier League still on the line.
“I have never competed for trophies like this before, so everything is new to me,” he said. “Hopefully, we can finish the job off.
“It is a good finish, I can’t lie. As a kid I have always wanted to be playing for the top teams — it took a long time to get there, but I am grateful.
“The first thing he (Guardiola) said to me when I came was ‘don’t change your game’. He knows we control the game a lot, he still wants me to be me, still create a bit of chaos.
“I don’t think there will be many celebrations tonight — it is getting ready for Tuesday.”
