Pep Guardiola’s star men all seemed to go missing as Erik ten Hag’s side pulled off a stunning win at Wembley
Manchester City’s hopes of a domestic double were ruined by rivals Manchester United as the Premier League champions fell to a 2-1 defeat in the FA Cup final on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s side were not at their best, and lost their first game inside 90 minutes since December 6 as a record-breaking campaign ended on a disappointing note.
City gifted United the opening goal of a fevered contest, as Josko Gvardiol inadvertently headed the ball over his onrushing goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, and allowed Alejandro Garnacho to nip in and score. Their bitter rivals then took full advantage to add a second before half-time; a beautiful flowing move, kick-started by a cross-field pass from Marcus Rashford, was finished superbly by Kobbie Mainoo as City’s defenders looked on helplessly.
City made changes at half-time, bringing on Jeremy Doku and Manuel Akanji, and also hooked Kevin De Bruyne before the hour-mark. Doku did pull a goal back with four minutes to play, cutting inside and shooting from distance; Andre Onana should have saved it, but it ended up nestled in the bottom corner.
Nevertheless, despite seven minutes of injury time, the champions could not mount a stirring comeback to force extra-time, and were left dejected on the Wembley turf as the Red Devils lifted the trophy.
GOAL rates City’s players from Wembley…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Stefan Ortega (1/10):
Rushed out to claim a bouncing ball and Gvardiol headed it over him, allowing Garnacho to score. A howler in the biggest game imaginable. Well-beaten by Mainoo’s goal, too. A day he will be desperate to forget.
Kyle Walker (4/10):
Kept Rashford quiet, until he allowed him to spray a beautiful pass to Garnacho before United’s second. Didn’t recover his position at all well, leaving Mainoo free. Forced a couple of good saves from Onana with a long-range drives.
John Stones (5/10):
Made no effort to mark Mainoo for United’s second. Some progressive passing and looked City’s most comfortable defender on the ball.
Nathan Ake (5/10):
Struggled to cope with United’s consistently direct approach and was replaced at half-time.
Josko Gvardiol (3/10):
Horrendous error saw him send Garnacho clean through as he headed over his own goalkeeper, but it was surely Ortega’s fault; what was he doing there?
Midfield
Rodri (4/10):
Nowhere to be seen twice in a row as United found a way through City’s press. Always distributes the ball well, though.
Mateo Kovacic (5/10):
Brilliant last-ditch slide denied Fernandes but lost his battle with Mainoo. Hooked at half-time.
Kevin De Bruyne (2/10):
Weirdly muted. Couldn’t get anything going, despite repeated attempts to deliver, and was replaced before the hour. A terrible display.
Attack
Bernardo Silva (3/10):
Next to no impact. Playing off the right, United often doubled up on him, with Fernandes dropping in to help Dalot deal with him. Silva couldn’t cope.
Erling Haaland (4/10):
Had more than one penalty shout waved away, with one after a foul from Mainoo looking particularly harsh. Peripheral in the first half but came alive briefly in the second, smashing an effort against the crossbar.
Phil Foden (6/10):
Some absolutely gorgeous touches. Freed Alvarez with a great pass but he diverted the ball wide. Kept trying to weave his way through, but much like his team-mates, was left frustrated.
Subs & Manager
Jeremy Doku (6/10):
On for Kovacic at half-time. Ran at Wan-Bissaka every chance he got but got very little change out of him until he scored, jinking inside and sending an effort at goal that squirmed through Onana’s hands.
Manuel Akanji (5/10):
On for Ake at the interval. Did okay in defence, using his athleticism to hold the line.
Julian Alvarez (4/10):
Replaced De Bruyne. Missed a sitter when sent through one-on-one. Took over set-piece deliveries but could not test the United backline.
Pep Guardiola (2/10):
Got this totally and completely wrong. City could not deal with United’s direct approach, nor their aggressive press. Doku did score as a sub but the decision to take off De Bruyne deserves immense scrutiny.