Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United: Erik ten Hag failed to win the FA Cup with Manchester United. Saturday’s final was decided by Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan, who scored two goals. City therefore remains in the race for the treble.
Brace from Gündogan keeps Ten Hag from the FA Cup
Manchester United and Manchester City both won one city derby in the Premier League season (6-3 for City, 2-1 for United) and competed against each other for the third time in this football year on Saturday. On goal at City was Stefan Ortega, who kept the cup games this season and just stayed there for the final.
On his first contact with the ball, Ortega immediately initiated City’s opening goal. After the kick-off, the keeper shot the ball forward and two headers later Gündogan had a shooting opportunity. The City captain did not hesitate for a second and lashed out devastatingly: 1-0. His goal after twelve seconds was the fastest goal ever scored in an FA Cup final.
United were clearly taken by it and were overrun by City in the early stages. The national champion had opportunities through Rodri, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, but they failed to double the margin. In between, United midfielder Casemiro escaped a red card after stepping on Akanji’s ankle.
United was not actually involved, but still found the equalizer after half an hour. Aaron Wan-Bissaka headed the ball onto Grealish’s outstretched hand, who really couldn’t help it. The VAR didn’t care: referee Paul Tierney was called to the screen and put the ball on the spot after seeing the images.
Bruno Fernandes scored (1-1) and celebrated with his teammates for the City supporters. Victor Lindelöf was then hit by something thrown from the audience. There was no strike: the final continued as if nothing had happened.
City also wanted a penalty, after an alleged foul by Fred on De Bruyne, but did not get it. On the other side, United came close to a second goal just before half-time: Raphaël Varane’s volley, however, went just wide of Ortega’s goal.
Second half
Again it was Gundogan who scored for City. This time he hit the target from a rehearsed free kick by De Bruyne, with it to be said that United goalkeeper David de Gea did not look good. The Spaniard went to the ground too late and therefore had to fish again: 2-1.
United had to start again, but as in the first half, City remained stronger after taking the lead. De Gea prevented a hit from De Bruyne, before the otherwise almost invisible Marcus Rashford shot just over Ortega’s goal. Moments later, Gündogan thought he could celebrate his third goal of the afternoon. However, he scored in an offside position and so that party was cancelled.
At United, Alejandro Garnacho had come on as a substitute and he shot just wide of the wrong side of the post for him. United’s pressure increased and Ten Hag brought Wout Weghorst into the field fifteen minutes before the end.
United failed to equalize again, despite a great chance for Scott McTominay. As a result, City won the FA Cup for the seventh time in club history. Next week, Guardiola’s team will play the Champions League final against Internazionale and can write history by winning the treble.