On a sunny afternoon in the capital, the epic Manchester derby showdown was played at Wembley. Manchester United were hoping to dent Manchester City’s treble dreams in order to win their second piece of silverware after sealing the Carabao cup in February.
It was a high-octane, enterprising and keenly contested seismic fixture. The Cityzens went ahead, just 13 seconds into the game. Ilkay Gundogan profited from Victor Lindelof’s poor header to score an outrageous volley which kept David De Gea rooted to his spot.
Man City had chances to double their lead, but their efforts to do so didn’t materialize.
Man United got their equalizer courtesy Bruno Fernandes from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute. Man City’s Jack Grealish handled the ball in the box. The penalty appeal was first waved off by referee Paul Tierney. But after being called to take a look at the incident from the pitch-side monitor. He changed his initial decision to give United a penalty.
It was all City in the second half which eventually paid off six minutes after the break. Gundogan yet again scored from the edge of the box. He profited from Kevin De Bruyne’s corner-kick which he took calmly, and slot the ball beyond De Gea. Giving Guardiola’s team the lead.
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The Red Devils did all they could to restore parity. But the Cityzens did well to thwart all their advances.
In the end, Manchester City ran out 2-1 winners and ultimately won the FA cup.
City won their 7th FA cup in the first Manchester derby final. They are just one game away from completing the historic treble only a team – Man United – have ever done so on the English soil.
By Habeeb Kuranga
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