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- Manchester City were crowned FA Cup champions, as the Sky Blues beat bitter rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley.
- The fastest goal of the finals was scored by Ilkay Gundogan after just 13 seconds. City’s dominance was levelled by a controversial penalty decision converted by Bruno Fernandes. The City captain secured the win and his brace in the 51st minute with a second outside of the box volley.
- The win confirms Pep Guardiola’s side’s double, with one game separating them from a historic treble.
Manchester City player ratings:
Contents
Stefan Ortega 6/10 – Looked confident on the ball, played a part in Gundogan’s first goal and overall didn’t have too much to do in terms of stopping United’s threat.
Kyle Walker 7/10 – Continued his wonderful form this season at Wembley, so fast in recovery and a nightmare to be 1v1 with.
Ruben Dias 6/10 – Proved why he is Guariola’s number one in central defence, strong and integral to City’s back line.
Manuel Akanji 6/10 – Composed on the ball and a strong figure in the back three, always in the game and a good distributor.
John Stones 8/10 – Thriving in his new midfield role, was influential in attack and winning the ball back, ensured United had little control from the midfield.
Rodri 6/10 – Looked a little tired next to Stones, however remained solid and protected the defence, didn’t allow United to tick in the middle of the park.
Bernardo Silva 6/10 – A live wire on the flank, very combative on and off the ball.
Kevin De Bruyne 6/10 – Always direct and influential going forward, was replaced midway through the second half.
Ilkay Gundogan 9/10 – An unbelievable performance from the faultless City captain, opened the scoring with an outstanding strike outside of the box after 14 seconds, and scored the winner in similar fashion.
Ilkay Gundogan always shows up 😤 pic.twitter.com/BQpRjsA5Ha
— GOAL (@goal) June 3, 2023
Jack Grealish 5/10 – Not the usual impactful display from the Englishman, gave away the penalty in controversial fashion, and added little threat going forward.
Erling Haaland 6/10 – Always looks a threat, showed fantastic movement when the chances came, didn’t get his trademark goal on this occasion.
Substitutes
Foden 5/10 – Didn’t have a significant amount to do after coming on.
Ake 5/10 – Didn’t have an impact after coming on late in the game.
Laporte N/A – Came on with seconds to spare.
Manchester United player ratings:
David De Gea 3/10 – Poor for both goals, looked as though he was lacking confidence.
Casemiro rightfully livid at David de Gea on more than one occasion in that half.
He’s asking for it short. He wants that responsibility. But De Gea responds by booting it long and losing possession.
Stefan Ortega is showing him up here. And Erik ten Hag will see it.
— Alex Turk (@AlexCTurk) June 3, 2023
Luke Shaw 5/10 – Consistent in defence but wasn’t as influential going forward as usual.
Raphael Varane 5/10 – Poor for the second goal, misses Lisandro Martinez.
Victor Lidelof 5/10 – Poor header for the first goal, placing the ball into Gundogan’s path.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 5/10 – Picked up a first half booking and looked off pace.
Fred 5/10 – Lucky to have waited so long to be booked, very sloppy on and off the ball.
Casemiro 5/10 – Unleashed a controversial challenge on Nathan Ake in the first half, looked far from his best in a City dominated midfield.
Jadon Sancho 4/10 – Barely in the game, looked far away from his true potential and posed little threat going forward.
Christian Eriksen 5/10 – Very quiet in the middle of the park, struggled to impose himself on the game, subbed with 30 minutes to go.
Bruno Fernandes 6/10 – Scored United’s controversial penalty, looked lively in a high pressured midfield but to no avail.
Marcus Rashford 5/10 – Almost anonymous on the flank, far from his usual ability, lashed a strong shot on goal in the second half but otherwise quiet.
Substitutes
Garnacho 7/10 – United’s best threat going forward, very strong after being introduced and caused City problems when he cut inside, a bright talent.
Weghorst 3/10 – Failed to make any impact on the game, introduced fairly late.
McTominay 4/10 – Was part of a scramble near the end of the game that almost resulted in an equaliser, apart from that had little influence in a short space of time.
Manchester City v Manchester United Match Summary and Highlights
Manchester City were dominant from the kick off, quite literally, as Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring after just 13 seconds, becoming the fastest scoring player in the history of FA Cup finals. It took four touches for the Premier League champions to put the ball in the net, leaving United stunned.
The Red Devils were given a lifeline in the first half, as a controversial penalty was awarded after VAR review due to a handball from Jack Grealish. The Englishman’s hands looked to be in an unnatural position as he jumped to clear the threat, however VAR noted that the ball clearly hit his fingers.
Is VAR right to give this as a penalty? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/qxrwQeHAEf
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 3, 2023
Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot and the game was back level, however City continued to dominate in all areas of the pitch.
Guardiola’s side’s hard work was rewarded early in the second half as Gundogan secured his brace and the winning goal, firing the ball from a Kevin De Bruyne free kick away from the reach of De Gea, who could’ve arguably done better in that instance.
The German international put the ball in the net for a third time, however it was quickly ruled out for offside, despite not taking home the matchball, the skipper will be taking home the FA Cup thanks to his display.
Player of the match: Ilkay Gundogan
The 32-year-old, who is rumoured to potentially depart City this summer, was integral when it mattered once again, scoring a brace to win his side the FA Cup.
The midfielder struck the ball immensely after just 14 seconds beyond De Gea which ultimately set the tone of the game, and secured his brace with a second volley from outside of the box in an unbelievable display of finishing at Wembley.
His two goals weren’t the only positives to his game, with him being assured on the ball and a thoughtful passer as ever, proving himself to be one of the most important individuals in Guardiola’s emphatic side.
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