- Darren England set for Man City final
- Referee recalls 2025 Wembley role
- Chelsea await Guardiola’s side in FA Cup
Darren England has opened up on last year’s Manchester City FA Cup final, ahead of taking charge of this weekend’s Wembley clash against Chelsea.
Man City are preparing for another major Wembley occasion as Pep Guardiola’s side face Chelsea in the 2026 FA Cup final.
The match will be refereed by Darren England, who has now been handed the biggest domestic appointment of his refereeing career.
However, this will not be England’s first City FA Cup final experience. The English referee was the fourth official in last year’s FA Cup final.
The Sky Blues lost to Crystal Palace 1-0 in the previous final. Regardless, England’s role in that game appears to have played a part in motivating him before his latest appointment.
Darren England recalls Man City FA Cup Final role
The Eagles won their first major trophy under Oliver Glasner last year. Eberechi Eze’s strike in the 16th minute was the only differentiator of the game.
England was also the fourth official in last season’s Carabao Cup final. Newcastle United defeated Liverpool 2-1, winning their first major title in the Premier League era.
“Yeah, it was a motivational appointment to have because you know that if you’re a fourth official, then hopefully you’ve got a good chance of getting to referee the Final in the future,” England told the FA.
He added, “I was fourth official for both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup Finals, and that just gave me more determination to get the Final in the next couple of years, so to do it this year is amazing.”
Darren England’s City record is strong but not perfect
England’s record when refereeing Man City games is mostly positive for Guardiola’s side. The Blues have won 11, drawn once and lost once when England has been the referee.
However, the record this season has been mixed. The referee has managed almost 31 per cent of his career’s City games this campaign.
All four have been in the Premier League, and Guardiola’s side have managed to win two. Unfortunately, the other two have been a draw and a loss.
England’s City games have been light on cards for Guardiola’s side
England’s disciplinary record in Man City games this season is more favourable to Guardiola’s side than the total card count suggests.
Across his four City appointments this season, England has shown 15 yellow cards in total, with only four going to City players.
The remaining 11 were shown to their opponents. The referee also awarded a penalty to City against Crystal Palace.
However, another 18-yard box decision went against the Citizens. Brighton were awarded a penalty last December, which helped the Seagulls inspire a comeback at the Amex.
