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Manchester City moved one step closer to becoming treble winners by beating neighbors Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final today (June 3).
The first-ever Manchester derby in an FA Cup final truly lived up to its billing from the get-go. It took City just 13 seconds to strike first, and it was a moment of magic from Ilkay Gundogan.
The German may be off in the summer, but he is cementing himself as a Cityzen icon. The ball dropped to the midfielder from 20 yards out, and he lashed at it on the half-volley. Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea could only watch on as it flew into the back of the net. It was the fastest goal in FA Cup final history and are up there with the very best.
Manchester City were relentless early on, playing with the same attacking intent that destroyed Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League. They were close to scoring a second in just the fourth minute when De Bruyne whipped a perfect free kick into the United box. Rodri got his head to the ball and it flicked just off the side netting. Pep Guardiola's side smelt blood while Erik ten Hag's men looked shellshocked.
The FA Cup final became tense in the 30th minute when Aaron Wan-Bissaka's header flicked off the arm of Jack Grealish. Referee Paul Tierney was advised to look at the incident on his pitchside monitor and pointed to the spot. It was a contentious decision given how close the City attacker was to the right-back.
However, Bruno Fernandes stepped up in the 33rd minute and made no mistake sending Ortega the wrong way and clinching a vital equalizer. Guardiola looked dumbfounded at the award of the spot kick but Ten Hag's men were back in the game.
Manchester City thought it was their turn to be awarded a penalty in the 39th minute when Fred appeared to clip De Bruyne in the United box. VAR took a look at the incident but no spot-kick was awarded much to the anger of the Blue side of Manchester.
Raphael Varane had a golden opportunity to put Manchester United 2-1 up in the 42nd minute. Christian Eriksen's corner was helped on by Casemiro and fell to the French defender. He lashed at his shot with the ball sailing wide but he really should have done better.
Manchester City came out with intent in the second half and retook the lead in the 51st minute through the man of the moment Gundogan. The German sat on the edge of the box as De Bruyne lifted a free kick into his path. He drilled home a left-footed effort to send the City supporters into hysteria.
De Gea made a smart save in the 61st minute to deny De Bruyne. It was Guardiola's men who were dominant after retaking the lead. Rashford then smashed a superb effort just over Ortega's goal seven minutes later.
Alejandro Garnacho was bright after coming on and he tried his luck at goal in the 72nd minute. However, his attempt just trickled past the post but it was a sign of life from Manchester United. Scott McTominay went desperately close to scoring an equalizer in the 90+1st minute when his header was denied at point-blank range by Ortega.
But it was Manchester City's day and they secured a famous win and clinched the FA Cup for the seventh time in their history. It's two down one to go for Guardiola's City as they are now just one more win away from winning a treble. They meet Inter Milan in the Champions League final on June 10.
One fan thinks the Cityzens' financial banking paid dividends:
"Can’t believe no one knew Manchester City years ago money really talks they about to win the treble."
Another fan was had a message for City's rivals:
"Manchester City are the new FA CUP champions whether you like it or not."
Here's how Twitter reacted to a frenetic FA Cup final that went to the Blue side of Manchester at Wembley:
Graeme Souness claimed no Manchester United player gets into Manchester City's team ahead of FA Cup final
Many were putting together their joint Manchester United and Manchester City starting lineups ahead of today's FA Cup final. However, Graeme Souness didn't have much issue doing so.
The Liverpool legend claimed that not a single Red Devils player would manage to get into Guardiola's side. He told the Daily Mail:
"I am not saying this for any other reason than I believe it to be true — not a single Manchester United player would get into Manchester City’s starting XI right now. In fact, I will go further, I believe every one of City’s substitutes at Wembley today would strengthen United’s team."
Ten Hag is in the midst of rebuilding his Manchester United side. They boast the likes of Rashford, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez. Yet, Souness doesn't think his squad is good enough to break into City's.
