Only Inter Milan currently stands between Pep Guardiola, and his boys, and the much coveted treble – which has only ever been achieved once by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in 1999.
On Saturday, the 3rd of June, Wembley stadium was filled to the brim as both Manchester clubs faced off in the 142nd FA Cup final.
In the buildup to the game there was an almost religious hope from the Manchester United faithful praying to all the gods they know, to prevent the continued dictatorship of the Cityzens on English football. They had the right to do so, having seen the way Erik Ten Haag has the team playing since their humiliating defeat to Brentford last August. The belief was further strengthened by their beating of this same Man City side in the second half of the season. So how hard will it be to replicate the victory?
Unfortunately for the Red Devils and their supporters all of this hope and belief was quickly quelled by a perfectly executed right footed volley from the City captain Ilkay Gundogan just 13 seconds into the game (setting a new record for the fastest goal in FA Cup history).
City assumed characteristic control and were looking like they could do to United what they did to Arsenal and Real Madrid. Manchester United however fought their way back into the game as captain Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot in the 33rd minute, from a controversial Jack Grealish handball.
Just 6 minutes into the second half, Kevin de Bruyne set up Ilkay Gundogan for his second goal of the day from a free kick deep in the Man Utd half, it was another sweetly caught volley although this time it was with his left foot. Despite the best efforts of Alejandro Garnacho and Scott McTominay later on in the second half, Stefan Ortega and his defence held strong and ensured that Manchester City laid their hands on the 7th FA Cup title in the club’s history.
Having secured the double, all eyes turn to Istanbul on Saturday where the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku will try to stop what has looked inevitable for at least two months now. There was no stopping them at Wembley. It is difficult to see what can now.
Olokungbemi Gerald
