The 145th FA Cup final takes centre stage at Wembley Stadium on Saturday as Chelsea and Manchester City renew one of the Premier League’s fiercest modern rivalries.
Pep Guardiola’s side arrive in strong form after dismantling Crystal Palace 3-0 in midweek, while Chelsea continue to struggle for consistency after winning just one of their last 11 matches across all competitions.
Yet history suggests this fixture is rarely predictable.
From Champions League heartbreak to chaotic Premier League thrillers, Chelsea and Manchester City have produced some unforgettable battles over the years. Ahead of another massive Wembley showdown, here is a complete look at the head-to-head record, key stats, and previous meetings between the two English giants.
Chelsea vs Man City overall head-to-head record
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Total meetings | 182 |
| Chelsea wins | 71 |
| Manchester City wins | 69 |
| Draws | 42 |
Despite Manchester City’s dominance in recent years, Chelsea still narrowly lead the all-time head-to-head record with 71 victories compared to City’s 69.
The first-ever meeting between the two clubs dates back to December 1907, when they played out a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in front of more than 40,000 spectators.
In the Premier League era, Chelsea have won 27 of the 58 league meetings between the sides, while City have claimed 21 victories and 10 matches have ended level.
However, cup competitions tell a different story.
Manchester City have won six of the nine FA Cup clashes between the clubs and have also enjoyed success in the EFL Cup, including their dramatic penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in the 2019 Carabao Cup final.
The Champions League final that changed everything
The most iconic meeting between Chelsea and Manchester City came in May 2021 during the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul.
On that night, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea stunned Guardiola’s City thanks to Kai Havertz’s composed first-half finish. The Blues secured a historic 1-0 victory and lifted their second European Cup.
Ironically, that result also marked a turning point in the rivalry.
Since that defeat, Manchester City have largely dominated the fixture under Guardiola, while Chelsea have struggled to consistently compete with the reigning Premier League champions.
Man City dominance in recent meetings
Chelsea once enjoyed a remarkable run in this fixture, winning eight consecutive matches against City between December 2005 and March 2009.
But the balance of power has completely shifted over the last decade.
Manchester City have won 19 of the last 34 Premier League meetings between the clubs, scoring 55 goals during that stretch. Chelsea, meanwhile, have managed only nine victories.
The Blues are also winless in their last 13 meetings with Guardiola’s side across all competitions.
Immediately after Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2021, City responded with six straight victories over the London side before Chelsea finally stopped the losing streak with back-to-back league draws during the 2023-24 season.
The unforgettable 4-4 thriller at Stamford Bridge
One of the most entertaining matches in recent Premier League history came in November 2023 when Chelsea and Manchester City produced a breathtaking 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Erling Haaland, Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Jackson and Rodri all found the net in a chaotic encounter that swung wildly from end to end.
Rodri appeared to have sealed a dramatic victory for City with an 86th-minute strike, but former Manchester City academy graduate Cole Palmer converted a stoppage-time penalty against his old club to rescue a point for Chelsea.
That result remains one of the few occasions in recent seasons where Chelsea genuinely matched Guardiola’s side blow for blow.
Most recent Chelsea vs Man City results
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Apr 2026 | Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City | Premier League |
| 4 Jan 2026 | Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea | Premier League |
| 25 Jan 2025 | Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea | Premier League |
| 18 Aug 2024 | Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City | Premier League |
| 20 Apr 2024 | Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea | FA Cup Semi-final |
| 17 Feb 2024 | Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea | Premier League |
| 12 Nov 2023 | Chelsea 4-4 Manchester City | Premier League |
| 21 May 2023 | Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea | Premier League |
Top scorers in Chelsea vs Man City history
Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero remains the all-time leading scorer in this fixture with 13 goals in 21 appearances against Chelsea.
The Argentine striker tormented the Blues throughout his Premier League career and even registered two hat-tricks against them, including City’s devastating 6-0 victory in February 2019.
Chelsea’s George Mills sits level on nine goals alongside former City striker Joe Hayes in the all-time scoring charts for this fixture.
Current form heading into the FA Cup final
Manchester City head into Wembley looking every bit like favourites.
Guardiola’s men have won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, scoring 25 goals during that run while keeping four clean sheets. Their attack continues to fire on all cylinders, averaging 2.39 goals per game in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea, by comparison, have struggled for rhythm and consistency throughout the campaign. Defensive lapses and missed opportunities in attack have cost them valuable points, although the Blues still possess dangerous match-winners capable of producing big moments on the Wembley stage.
History may slightly favour Chelsea overall, but recent form heavily leans toward Manchester City.
Still, cup finals often ignore logic.
And Chelsea fans will hope Wembley delivers another unforgettable chapter in this rivalry.