Wild Jubilation as Man City Clinches 7th FA Cup, on Course for Treble

By Sakiru Olopade 

Manchester City are one game away from winning treble this season, with a hard fought victory against their arch rival, Manchester United in the final of the FA Cup, decided at the Wembley stadium in the first ever all Manchesters’ final.

It was a wild jubilation after Pep Gaurdiola’s men pipped Manchester United that was seeking it’s 13th FA CUP title by two goals to one.

However, having won double so far, City are on course to win treble with only Inter Milan standing in the way in the final of the UEFA champions league, billed for this week.

The Pep Gaurdiola’s tutored side, trying to equal Manchester United record in 1999, being the only team to have won all of those trophies in one season.

Considering the blistering form, Manchester City went into the FA CUP final encounter as a clear favourite, while United fans were equally full of optimism before the game, bidding to win a second domestic trophy this season, having won the league cup against Newcastle United in February, thereby, setting up an epic FA CUP final.

In the opening minutes, Manchester City had the game in their control, leaving Erik Ten Hag’s men chasing shadow in the midfield. What could have a goal was chalked off for an offside, after breaking into United’s box from the left with Erling Haaland’s shot parried by David De Gea towards Gundogan to tap in the ball.

However, just 13 seconds into the game, a pass from Kevin De Bruyne to Gundogan, who wasted no chance to lash a volley into the goal post, beating David De Gea for the first goal, the quickest FA CUP final goal.

Against the run of play, Manchester United got an equalizer, via a penalty calmly taken by Bruno Fernandez, after Jack Grealish was penalized for a handball in the vital area to end the thrilling 1st half in one goal a piece.

Ilkay Gundogan was on course again with another volley from the edge of the box in the 51st minute in the second half to give City the second goal.

Thereafter, with the introduction of Alejandro Ganarcho and Scot McTominay, Manchester United turned the heat on City but could not have a breakthrough despite consistent pressure in the City’s half.