Rock solid Reds stun City rivals in FA Cup Final

The 143^rd FA Cup Final was a Manchester derby for only the second time, a repeat of last season’s final, in which City came out 2-1 winners thanks to the earliest goal in FA Cup Final history from İlkay Gündoğan, after just 12 seconds. City were the overwhelming favourites once again going into this fixture, having been crowned Premier League winners for a record 4^th time in a row last weekend.

For a split-second viewers may have thought an early goal was coming once again when Fernandes lobbed the ball in behind the City defence for Rashford to chase. He would have had an opportunity to score if it was not for the physical freak, Walker, who powered back and beat him to the ball.

VAR had a first incident to review inside the opening minute as well. Martinez put an arm into Haaland’s back as a cross flashed passed them. Guardiola was screaming on the touchline for a penalty, but VAR deemed there was not enough in it to overturn the on-field decision.

City then proceeded to dominate the opening stages of the match, with United unable to get a kick. However, the first shot of the match came from Garnacho, out of the right, just inside the penalty area, but he fired straight at Ortega.

City were struggling to get into their groove, put off by United’s industrious midfield make-up of Amrabat, McTominay, Mainoo and Fernandes. Ten Hag’s chosen system filled out the centre of the pitch, which made it very difficult for City to find gaps, forcing them to play out wide and make errors.

The match began to heat up in the 21^st minute. Ortega played an unwanted pass to Kovačić on the penalty spot of his own box, whilst United were aggressively hunting City down with a press. Trouble was avoided for City as they slickly passed their way out which led to Dalot fouling Haaland on the halfway line, stopping a promising attack. A streetwise move from Dalot who also avoided a yellow card.

Just before the half-hour mark a ball was smashed forward, looking for the run of Garnacho directly in behind the City backline. Goalkeeper Ortega rushed off his line towards the action and Gvardiol bumped Garnacho away from the ball, headed it towards goal not knowing his goalkeeper had come out to collect it himself. Garnacho then proceeded to roll the ball into the empty City net. A gift of a goal for Manchester United who took a 1-0 lead. Wembley was stunned. That defensive mix-up in communication put it on a plate for Garnacho.

United were covering every blade of grass. All of City’s passes were in front of the United defence, they were not asking many questions of them. A tame shot from distance was comfortably gathered by Onana. Varane clipped the ball over the top and Garnacho was in behind the City backline again, he picked out Rashford across goal who tapped in but the offside flag was correctly raised by the linesman.

Mainoo played the ball to Rashford who was just inside his own half, he switched play, drilling the ball diagonally to Garnacho, who arrived at the edge of the box, played the ball on the floor across to Fernandes, who then executed an exquisite pass into Mainoo, Walker was the wrong side and Mainoo coolly slotted the ball into the far-right corner. The red areas of Wembley erupted after witnessing an incredible team goal from their side. City were going for the double, but they were shocked by this first half double from United. 

A trademark De Bruyne cross was flashed across goal, but Haaland was unable to meet the ball as City continued to struggle to create any good shooting opportunities. Fernandes slid in to intercept the ball from arriving at Foden’s feet on the brink of half-time and he waved his arms up at the United fans. They were half-way towards causing a big upset at Wembley.

There was nearly a chance for Rashford in the 50^th minute after lovely link up and a one-two between Mainoo and Fernandes but the latter’s pass was cut out.

Foden drove the ball forward and played it to Doku, a half-time substitute for City, he rolled the ball across the box towards Haaland, who’s powerful left-footed shot rattled the crossbar, it was then cleared out of play by Garnacho. The closest City had come thus far and it gave City fans hope as they found their voices. De Bruyne, who had been unable to influence the game, fired a cross over everybody’s heads and out of play. He was then substituted after 56 minutes for Julian Alvarez, as Guardiola shuffled his pack.

So, Doku and Alvarez were on for City, two willing runners with pace and directness key components to their game. City were still plugging away and a thunderous strike from distance by Walker forced Onana into making a top class save. From the resulting corner Alvarez fired over the crossbar on his less-favoured left foot.

The next big chance of the match also fell to the young Argentinian. Rodri passed through United’s midfield line finding Foden, who slid the ball in between Martinez and Amrabat in order to create an opportunity for Alvarez, but under pressure from Dalot behind, he placed his left-footed shot wide of the goal. Both Alvarez and Guardiola placed their hands on their heads. One versus one with the goalkeeper, that was City’s best chance of the match to pull a goal back.

City screamed for a penalty in the 75^th minute when Mainoo’s hands were wrapped around Haaland in the penalty box, but it was deemed fair, strong play from the United teenager and no penalty was awarded. Walker attempted another shot from distance, but it was well-saved once again by Onana down to his right. Doku was looking like City’s main threat as they began to flood the box with players.

In the 87^th minute, Foden played the ball to Doku who was out on the left. He was facing Wan Bissaka and Garnacho was covering the inside. Doku took on Garncho, driving towards the edge of the box, he created half a yard for himself to get a shot off which snuck inside the near post despite Onana getting his hands on the ball. City finally pulled a goal back to make it 2-1. Doku was City’s liveliest player, but it was a shot that Onana definitely should have saved. City are a club who in recent history have always fought right until the end of important matches, they had given themselves that opportunity in this match too.

City continued to move the ball from side to side, attempting to create space for themselves. Akanji fired over from distance and Onana rushed out to gather another corner kick. Fernandes went for goal just inside the City half which went wide but it did waste valuable seconds as the clock continued to click through additional time.

The match finished 2-1 to Manchester United, a result not many would have expected. Ten Hag’s tactical masterclass came off on the day to deny his doubters any joy. Teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo was deservedly named Man of the Match. There were no double-double celebrations for Manchester City, neighbours United made sure of that. United’s poor season ended in jubilation as they lifted their 13^th FA Cup, now only one behind Arsenal’s record of 14.