Two down, one to go. And Manchester City are one week away from getting there. Istanbul, here we come.
Ilkay Guendogan’s goals early in each half cancelled Bruno Fernandes’ penalty and helped Manchester City win their seventh FA Cup beating Manchester United 2-1 in London on Saturday. Inter Milan stand between a treble and Manceshter City, a feat achieved only by Manchester United in England and that was in the last century.
Had Rodri directed a free header, it could have been 2-0 inside the fourth minute for City. It could have killed the contest for there is no gain saying how difficult it would be to put two past the team in sky blue. But Rodri missed, Erling Haaland didn’t get enough on the ball after Guendogan had found him and then, from a fortuitous penalty Manchester United levelled the contest.
It was a hopeful ball from the middle that Aaron Wan-Bissaka headed, the ball flicking Jack Grealish’s fingers on way to no one in particular. But in the time of VAR and the hand not being in natural position, these infractions don’t go unpunished. So, after checking the pitchside monitor, referee Paul Tierney pointed to the spot. Up stepped Fernandes and sent goalkeeper Stefan Ortega the wrong way. It was the boost Manchester United needed. Raphael Varane shot out and Marcus Rashford found himself in the penalty area as Manchester United ended the half stronger.
Till another Guendogan effort from range deflated the red shirts that had packed Wembley on a sun-kissed afternoon. Again Kevin de Bruyne and Fred were involved, this time more directly. De Bruyne had danced past Fred forcing the Brazilian to scythe him leading to a free-kick. De Bruyne found Guendogan and from a thicket of legs in socks black and blue, the German fired a first-timer that David de Gea saw late, too late.
Manchester City’s goals usually don’t come all of a sudden. They are more a product of synchronised activity culminating in a finish that leaves opponents hypnotised. The hypnosis happened in this game too but from distance. The first goal, coming in 13 seconds, was the fastest ever in the competition that began in 1871-72, and was also proof of how Pep Guardiola’s style has evolved over the years.
In true Ederson style, his deputy Ortega played a long ball which Haaland headed. Victor Lindelof’s header didn’t fall for De Bruyne who was being policed by Fred. But it fell in space from where Guendogan let fly. De Gea’s crouch was questionable but there was nothing wrong with the power and technique Guendogan produced.
This season has been like no other for the midfielder Manchester City have been wobbly without. Everton and Leeds know all about it in a Premier League season where he has had five assists and eight goals. Guendogan can find space that is key to breaking the low blocks City often find themselves against. He can play in a deeper midfield position and, like he did on Saturday, operate in a more advanced position. And he can shoot from distance, something his fans are convinced he doesn’t do enough of. The goal that put City ahead was as sumptuous a volley as could be.
To their credit, Manchester United were not overawed. It is not easy to not be that against a team that has added the FA Cup to the Premier League. Even if you ignore the mad scramble of Varane shooting, then Scott McTominay and Fernandes rocking the horizontal in second-half stoppage time, there was a Rashford effort that flew over but not by much. Then Alejandro Garnacho couldn’t bend it like David Beckham in the stands in a blue suit. The television cameras pointed at Alex Ferguson, who had walked the trophy out with Miker Summerbee, looking at his watch but there would be no strike in Fergie Time. There would be a hug for Pep Guardiola. The times have changed.
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