Manchester City close in on a landmark achievement following their win over city rivals, Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup final in Wembley on Saturday.
United, in 1999 became the only English to win a treble and that fact has been a pride for the club and its fans, but Pep Guardiola men’s win in Wembley means their fierce rivals could be about to match their achievement.
City, who in that season of United’s treble, had just sealed promotion to Division one thanks to a playoff win in their first season in the third tier of English football, following double relegation a couple of seasons earlier are now the team that has become unmatchable, both in domestic competitions and Europe.
For the two rivals, it was more than just a final as it was the first time they will be meeting in the final of the competition and for Erik Ten Hag and his minions, it was in their own hands to stop City from winning a treble.
Unfortunately, they hit the worst start possible as Ilkay Gundogan scored after just 13 seconds from kickoff, setting a new record for the fastest goal scored in an FA Cup final.
While City continued to create the better chances but couldn’t add to their lead, it was United who leveled matters from the penalty spot after Jack Grealish was penalized for a handball just after the half hour mark.
Bruno Fernandes stepped up and convert, sending Ortega the wrong way. The Portuguese in the process scored his 25th penalty for Manchester United, from 28 taken, which does not include efforts from shootouts.
It finished all square at the break but City were back in front six minutes after the restart. Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne, the same combination that delivered the Premier League winner the first goal was at it again.
De Bruyne’s free-kick from the corner flag found an unmarked Gundogan on the edge of the area. The German hit a first time volley with his weaker left foot. The ball traveled through the sea of bodies enroute to beating David de Gea in goal.
The Spanish goalkeeper should have done better but City won’t mind. Ten Hag however will not be happy seeing his team conceding that goal in a Cup final.
That moment eventually won Manchester City the FA Cup title for the second time under Pep Guardiola and the overall seventh time in the club’s history.
With the domestic double completed, City’s focus is now shifted to the UEFA Champions League final against Inter next weekend in Istanbul.
Their goal is to win the treble and now they are one win away from doing it. It’s been a long season and the Citizens could not have prayed to have it any different.
Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
