The 142nd FA Cup Final was, remarkably, the first ever Manchester Derby. Huge banners were unfurled on the pitch before the match depicting each side’s impressive seasons. United look to have finally found a long-term manager in Erik Ten Hag, who guided them to fourth in the league and to League Cup glory – meaning both teams were going for a double, City having sealed the Premier League after a tussle with Arsenal. Next Saturday, they’ll face Inter Milan in Istanbul in the Champions League Final for a shot at an unprecedented Treble.
Well, almost unprecedented, today’s opposition being the only other side in England to achieve the feat.
City have only lost twice all season when they’ve scored first, one of those defeats was inflicted by the Red Devils, but United still had to keep it tight in the early stages. However, City came flying out of the traps. Captain Ilkay Gündogan played the ball to backup keeper Stefan Ortega from kick-off who clubbed the ball upfield. Erling Haaland headed the ball on to De Bruyne, the ball bounced off United defender Victor Lindelöf’s head directly to Gündogan who volleyed first-time past a powerless David De Gea to stun the watching crowd. It was recorded at 13 seconds – the fastest ever cup final goal (right).
They could’ve gone two up inside four minutes had Rodri’s powerful header gone the right side of the near post. City maintained the early pressure, eyeing another slaughter to add to their other hauls this year.
But United weren’t going down without a fight. With City looking to become the first side since Bury in 1903 to win the tournament without conceding a goal. Skipper Bruno Fernandes dinks a ball in full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s direction. He attempts to head the ball in but it is blocked by Jack Grealish and Ederson collects.
As the game went on, United players appealed for a handball by the City winger and eventually the VAR David Coote advised the referee to check the monitor. While it seemed certain it touched Grealish’s hand, as he was jumping and spinning around, perhaps he had to raise his arms in order to do so. Under the current rules though, Paul Tierney was obliged to give a penalty which Fernandes duly converted. They proceeded to celebrate at the City end and Lindelöf received a bottle to the head.
The dynamic began to change before half time as defender Rafa Varane narrowly evaded the net with a header.
But minutes after the restart, an unusual corner floated to the edge of the box met the boot of that man Gündogan who volleyed, albeit not as cleanly as his first, into the ground and through a crowd of defenders. De Gea’s palm was not enough and City once again had the advantage. Both teams exchanged chances before Gündogan thought he’d grabbed a hattrick after some smart work by Haaland, strangely elusive from the scoresheet, only to be flagged up for offside. Tricky teenager Alejandro Garnacho came close more than once but United’s big chance came right before the end. His pass led to Luke Shaw’s delivery finding Scott McTominay. A heavy touch was heading for Ortega but an attempt by Fernandes deflected off the keeper and onto the crossbar. McTominay’s ensuing header marginally went over as Ortega clung onto the bar.
But it would be City’s day. The Treble now one match away, the depth of Guardiola’s squad once again coming to the fore. The best club in the world now have one foot in football’s eternal history book.