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As it happenedended

FA Cup final, Man City vs Watford LIVE: Score, goals and latest reaction after City run riot

Follow all the latest reaction from the Wembley showpiece

Michael Jones
Saturday 18 May 2019 18:51 BST
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FA Cup Final: Manchester City v Watford preview

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Follow live coverage and reaction after Manchester City thrashed Watford to win the FA Cup to win the domestic treble.

Pep Guardiola’s City side clinched the League Cup in the same stadium in March, beating Chelsea in a penalty shootout, and sealed their second successive Premier League title last weekend.

A dazzling display of attacking football saw them prove far too good for the overmatched Hornets. Here's how it played out:

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Hello! Welcome along to our live coverage of the 2019 FA Cup final between Manchester City and Watford, as Pep Guardiola's team aim to clinch a unprecedented treble in the men's game of the Premier League, League Cup and FA Cup. But it is a momentous day for Watford too, who have never won a major trophy before and are back in their first FA Cup final since 1984. These opportunities don't come around too often. 

Michael will be here shortly with all the build-up and team news ahead of the match (1700 BST kick-off). In the meantime, here's Jonathan Liew's interview with Watford's Kiko Fermenia which is well worth a few minutes of your time.

Lawrence Ostlere18 May 2019 15:39

Manchester City are in the house! 

Michael Jones18 May 2019 15:53

There's nothing quite like a day at Wembley for the FA Cup final.

For Watford this will be a day long remembered and if they can pull off a spectacular win then that'll be the icing on the cake.

For Man City this is business as usual. Under Pep this team has worked to be in this position, to be playing in cup finals, and they won't accept anything other than a victory. 

Michael Jones18 May 2019 15:59

Man City vs Watford

Team news

Michael Jones18 May 2019 16:00

Team news

The big news is that 32-goal top scorer Sergio Aguero is on the bench for Manchester City. As is Kevin De Bruyne.

For Watfo​rd Jose Holebas starts after his red card against West Ham was rescinded earlier in the week.  

Michael Jones18 May 2019 16:09

Whatever happens today history will be made.

Watford are playing in their first cup final since 1984 and are hoping to take home their piece of major silverware. 

Man City are going for the domestic treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup. They've already got two of the three and a win today would see them complete the set and become the only team to achieve the feat. 

Michael Jones18 May 2019 16:12

38-year-old goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes starts for Watford today. 

It is expected that he will retire from the professional game after the match and what better way to go out than with a win in the FA Cup final. 

Michael Jones18 May 2019 16:16

Team news

Pep Guardiola makes one change to the Man City side that claimed the Premier League title at Brighton last week.

Gabriel Jesus returns in his first start since the semi-final win over Brighton at the expense of Sergio Aguero.

Kevin de Bruyne is again on the bench and there is no place in the squad for Phil Foden.

Watford make two changes to the side that lost 4-1 at home to West Ham last Sunday.

Heurelho Gomes, starts in goal after playing in each round this season.

Adrian Mariappa also returns to the defence in place of Christian Kabasele, who is on the bench.

Michael Jones18 May 2019 16:19

Man City vs Watford

Full teams.  

Michael Jones18 May 2019 16:26

Jose Holebas starts after a nervous week of waiting to see if his red card would be rescinded: 

"It was a ridiculous red card in the last game. It was given and I'm happy that they took it back and that I can play today.

"It's a really big day today for the boys and the club.

"Man City have the most pressure. We can go into the game free and think about enjoying it. We can focus on what we've spoken about and in the end we'll see what the result is.

"The boys have to step up now because it's not just the last game of the season, it's a big game. I don't know if we can reach this again."

Michael Jones18 May 2019 16:35

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