Manchester City beat Manchester United to lift FA Cup and close in on historic Treble
Manchester City beat Manchester United to lift FA Cup and close in on historic Treble
Manchester City beat rivals Manchester United 2-1 to win the FA Cup final and remain on course to complete the Treble.
Ilkay Gundogan scored after 12 seconds – the fastest goal in FA Cup final history – to give City the perfect start at Wembley.
City’s captain caught United off guard with a stunning volley from outside the box.
But United hit back on 33 minutes when Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot after VAR’s controversial decision to penalise Jack Grealish for handball.
It was the first goal City had conceded in the entire competition.
During the goal celebrations, Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof went down after appearing to be struck in the face by a projectile thrown from the stands.
Six minutes into the second half German midfielder Gundogan notched his second of the day to restore City’s lead – another volley, this time with his left foot.
Gundogan had the ball in the net yet again anticipating his hat-trick but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Despite a few late scares posed by United, the Premier League champions held out to secure a domestic cup double.
Reflecting on the game, Fernandes, Manchester United’s captain, told BBC Sport: “Everyone is down and it’s really difficult. We wanted to end the season in a different way but it wasn’t possible.
“We’ve made big steps for next season, it wasn’t a successful season overall but it was a good one. We have to come back next season and try to win bigger trophies.”
Guardiola’s side now have the opportunity to go one better next Saturday by matching United’s 1999 feat of winning the Treble – the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League – if they beat Inter Milan in the European final in Istanbul.
City last won the FA Cup in 2019 when they thrashed Watford 6-0.