Match Report: Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United (FA Cup Final)

Premier League champions Manchester City beat Manchester United 2-1 to win the FA Cup 2023 and keep their treble hopes alive.

The iconic Wembley Stadium hosted the first-ever Manchester Derby in the FA Cup final.

Pep Guardiola’s team looked determined to claim their second domestic trophy this season, while their opponents and Carabao Cup Champions Manchester United appeared desperate to halt their neighbours’ treble hopes.

Ilkay Gundogan landed Manchester City’s opening blow in the match’s first minute to earn his team an early lead. Stefan Ortega’s long shot met with Victor Lidelof’s misplaced header, directing the ball toward the City captain.

Gundogan cut across the volley from range and placed it beautifully in the net while David De Gea remained glued to his spot. It took the German midfielder 13 seconds to change the scoreline in City’s favour, making it the fastest goal ever scored in FA Cup final history.

At the half-hour mark, VAR intervened to recheck a handball incident from moments earlier. Bruno Fernandes’ crossfield pass reached Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and the latter headed the ball into Jack Grealish’s outstretched arm.

Match official Paul Tierney visited the pitch-side monitor and, upon a careful review, pointed to the spot, highlighting the absurdity of the handball law. Bruno Fernandes scored the penalty to bring United level.

10 minutes later, Fred took out Kevin De Bruyne before the Belgian midfielder could reach the box inside the box. Manchester City appealed for a penalty, but the VAR officials interestingly deemed playing on a fitting response to the offence.

Earlier in the first half, Casemiro had also escaped a red card following a high-boot challenge that kept Manuel Akanji down for several minutes. A sliding challenge on Grealish saw the referee show a yellow card to Wan-Bissaka as the first half ended with both captains grabbing a goal apiece.

City mirrored its rhythm from the first half and continued to create chances. Soon, a patient Gundogan scored another goal from a volley to regain the lead for his side. The second goal prompted Guardiola’s men to attack frequently as they navigated through Man Utd’s threatening but sporadic counter-attacks.

Gundogan was denied an FA Cup final hat trick after his third goal was disallowed for offside. A solid defensive display from City kept United’s attacks at bay until the added time. Although the opponents managed to create a chaotic albeit huge chance in the closing minutes, Ortega and John Stones worked meticulously to prevent an equalizer.

In the end, Ilkay Gundogan’s spectacular brace proved enough to crown Manchester City the FA Cup Champions 2023.

Having won two titles this season, Pep Guardiola’s men will continue their hunt for the treble as they take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul.