Man City vs Man United LIVE: FA Cup final result and final score as Kobbie Mainoo goal wins it at Wembley
Manchester United ended a poor season on a huge high as Erik ten Hag ignored intense speculation about his future to mastermind a shock FA Cup final win against rivals Manchester City
Manchester United saved their best performance of a mediocre season to the very end as they upset Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday to deprive their rivals of the double.
With speculation swirling about the future of manager Erik Ten Hag, United ripped up the form book as first-half goals from teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo proved enough for them to lift the trophy for a 13th time.
They had to endure a second-half siege, however, as City swarmed forward and a late goal by Jeremy Doku set up a nerve-shredding finale before United could celebrate at Wembley.
Premier League champions City, bidding to become the first club to win the double in successive seasons, had been on a 35-match unbeaten run in all competitions in open play.
But they were well below their best in the first half, gifting Garnacho a 30th-minute opener before Mainoo made it 2-0.
City woke up in the second half and Erling Haaland hit the crossbar, but they had to wait until the 87th minute for substitute Doku to halve the deficit.
United hung on, however, to seal the best result of Ten Hag’s two-season reign and qualification for next season’s Europa League.
76’ - City 0-2 United
Haaland is dragged to the ground on a corner and wants a penalty but nothing doing for him. A couple of corners United just about deal with.
City come forward again regardless - same careful approach, same patient probing work. Walker eventually hits it from range and Onana saves; Haaland goes for the rebound but he’s offside.
72’ - City 0-2 United
United subs on the way as Martinez’s day is done. He was going to come off a few minutes ago but stayed on, went back down for some treatment and now is walking off...far too slowly for Kyle Walker’s liking who has a bit of an aggresive go at the centre-back and a few others get involved.
United double sub: Evans for Martinez, Hojlund for Rashford.
68’ - City 0-2 United
Garnacho beats his man and rattles in a low shot - saved by Ortega at the near post. United making sure they maintain an outlet is going to be important.
Doku had a bit of early running at Wan-Bissaka but that has dried up - we’re into the final quarter of the game now and City still need two goals.
64’ - City 0-2 United
Two big chances for the sub and he fails to hit the target.
Alvarez plays a one-two in the box and lashes a left-foot shot over the bar, just leaning back a bit as he struck it. Then he’s slid into the box behind two defenders and he should score - scuffs another left-footed shot a few yards wide, just couldn’t control it into the corner.
City pushing far more now and the chances are coming but not clear enough.
60’ - City 0-2 United
Kyle Walker ends a spell of passing right to left and back again by lining up a shot and drilling it at the far post - well tipped around the post by Onana. United very much backs to the wall now with all 11 inside their box at times.
Can City find a breakthrough? Alvarez’s cross reaches Rodri and his cross is clipped behind by Varane.
58’ - City 0-2 United
Here’s an unexpected change - Kevin De Bruyne replaced before the hour mark. Julian Alvarez comes on for him. Perhaps the Belgian had another knock? Alvarez is quickly involved in a move on the edge of the box which ends in a Rodri cross being cleared. Garnacho sprints away on a long chase but Gvardiol this time deals with it.
55’ - City 0-2 United
WOODWORK!
McTominay goes down in the box but it’s a stumble rather than a foul. Fernandes tries to keep it alive but City have bodies in to deflect it away from danger.
At the other end Doku feeds Foden who is on the run and gets a touch - but it’s not a clean one and the ball rolls through to Onana.
Seconds later it’s almost the same combo but this time Foden leaves it, Haaland rifles it straight past Onana - onto the crossbar and out! So close.
52’ - City 0-2 United
Doku gets by Amrabat and turns infield. It keeps going central but United have nine players within the width of their six-yard box, between the penalty spot and the D. It’s crazy congested in there.
Foden and De Bruyne try to sneak through another non-existent gap, United turn them away, Gvardiol fires a shot or pass out of play.
48’ - City 0-2 United
Rodri goes for goal, presumably, from way out - over the bar despite a scramble from Onana.
The United goalkeeper then invites pressure from Haaland but just about does enough to clear his lines. Not the explosive restart from City we might have expected.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments