Our Reporter, Abuja
English Premier League champions, Manchester City kept their dream of clinching a treble this season alive as they defeated neighbours and arch rivals, Manchester United, in the FA cup final played on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
City won the match by 2-1 and lifted the oldest cup competition in world football.
The premier league champions were favourites going into the game and indeed made an early breakthrough with captain, Ilkay Gundogan volleying home the fastest goal in FA cup final on 12 seconds after United made a mess of clearing a long ball from City’s keeper, Ortega.
But United clawed back their way into the game before the break after Grealish was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box by VAR. Bruno Fernandes tucked away the resultant penalty to give United hope of actualising their own dream of a domestic cup double.
At the resumption of the second half, Pep Guardiola urged his boys to increase the intensity of their play. And when United’s midfielder, Fred, fouled Kevin De Bruyne on the far corner outside the box, City took the lead again from the resultant free-kick. While players queued for an in-swinger from the mercurial De Bruyne in the box, he out foxed everyone by picking out Gundogan on the edge of the eighteen yard who volleyed this time with his weaker left leg that got United’s keeper David de Gea scrambling as the ball snaked its way into the net.
Although United rallied for an equaliser, they could do nothing to halt their noisy neighbours from winning their second trophy of the season as the prepare for the bigger one, the UEFA champions league final against Inter Milan.
Speaking after the game, City’s coach, Guardiola for the first time yet gave hint of their target of completing a treble this season.
“This is the first time we can talk about the Treble. Against United it is special for our city and our fans. We performed really, really well and I am pleased.”
Pep was also full of praises for his captain, Gundogan.
“What a season. The skills were there but he has the special mentality. They play a lot of games like this and they handle the pressure and look like they’re having fun.”
Jack Grealish who conceded the penalty was filled with emotions after the game.
“Unbelievable. It’s stuff you dream of when you’re a little kid. I was desperate to win one at Villa and now I’ve done it.
“I don’t even think it’s a penalty. I wasn’t even looking at it, I turned and it hit my arm but Gundogan saved me.
“The best thing about this team is we have a mix of everything. Everyone is confident, we’ve got older more experienced lads and the younger lads are learning too.
“We’ll have a good night tonight and then straight back at it on Sunday and Monday for a big game next week.”
