Second prank of Manchester City: After the English football championship, the “sky blues” also the FA Cup fetched. In the final at London’s Wembley Stadium, City won against city rivals Manchester on Saturday (June 3rd, 2023). United with 2:1 (1:1).
Captain Ilkay Gündogan put City in the lead after just 13 seconds. In the first City attack, the German international converted a header from Kevin De Bruyne with a powerful direct shot from 22 meters from the inside right for the fastest goal in FA Cup history into the right corner. After United’s equalizer by Bruno Fernandes with a hand penalty (33rd minute), it was Gündogan again (51st) with a volley that gave City their ninth triumph in the FA Cup.
Gündogan: “Most beautiful national cup competition”
The FA Cup be”the most beautiful national cup competition in the world“, Gündogan enthused after the game. “Winning the double in England is incredibly difficult and shows the hard work put in by the players and the team throughout the season.“
After the early lead, coach Pep Guardiola’s team initially dominated the game and had the next chance straight away with a Rodri header (4′). But through intense intensity United worked their way back into the game and were lucky when City’s Jack Grealish, on an attempted save, grabbed a header from Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the turn. After intervention by the video assistant, referee Paul Tierney awarded a penalty. Bruno Fernandes ran and equalized (33rd) and at the same time City’s “Pokal” goalkeeper Stefan Ortega conceded the first goal of the season.
Raphael Varane misses for United – and Gündogan scores again
A little later, City also requested video evidence when De Bruyne fell in the penalty area against Fred (40′). But this time nothing happened. But United still had a great opportunity to take the lead before the break. But Raphael Varane pushed the extension of a corner kick past the goal (42nd). The “Red Devils“, who had already won the English League Cup this season, were definitely in the game and making life difficult for City.
United tried to carry the momentum into the second half. However, Gündogan gave the mood killer to the fans of the “Red Devils” again. He took a De Bruyne free-kick from the right at the edge of the penalty area with his weak left foot and hit the bottom left to make it 2-1 (51 ‘).
City controls the game
After falling behind again, United found it difficult to find their way back into the game. City determined the course of the game with great ball control and a strong division of space. Gündogan even celebrated a third time, but when he shot away after a shot on goal by record scorer Erling Haaland, who was otherwise largely unsubscribed, the German was offside (71st).
Shortly thereafter, United also had their first promising finish in the second half, when substitute youngster Alejandro Garnacho went just wide with a shot from 22 meters (72′). The 18-year-old was good for the “Red Devils” offensive and repeatedly caused unrest in the city defense.
In the final stages, Manchester United threw everything forward again, but in injury time Ortega and the crossbar prevented the equalizer from a double chance by Varane and Scott McTominay (90 + 2). In the end, City captain Gündogan received the English trophy from Prince William and was rightly celebrated as the player of the game.
Chance of a treble in the Champions League final
Next Saturday (06/10/2023) Manchester City can make the “triple” out of the “double”. In the final of the Champions League in Istanbul, the “Skyblues” could win the “premium class” for the first time against Inter Milan and thus their third title of the 2022/23 season.
“We have the chance to create something special“, according to Gundogan. “I can promise our fans that we will do everything to win in Istanbul.” So far, Manchester United are the only English club to have won the treble of league, FA Cup and premiership in one season.