GUNDOGAN’S HEROICS INSPIRES FA CUP VICTORY

Manchester City won their second piece of silverware this season thanks to a stellar captain's performance from Ilkay Gundogan; the German's brace means the treble dream is still alive. The game ended 2-1, Bruno Fernandes' goal wasn't enough overcome the rival side.

Ilkay Gundogan had a day to remember, the captain lead by example and secured the victory for his side. His opening goal was the quickest in FA Cup Final history, scoring in just 13 seconds. A wonderful strike that he hit so cleanly, leaving David De Gea helplessly stunned.

The advantage was soon lost due to a controversial penalty decision, Aaron Wan-Bissaka's header struck the finger of a clueless Jack Grealish inside the 18-yard box, resulting in a spot kick. Bruno Fernandes capitalised on the opportunity to draw his side level and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Man City came out for the second half in similar fashion to the first, they scored early on again, this time just 6 minutes after the restart. Another long range strike from Gundogan with his other foot, despite not getting the best connection, the ball still managed to wriggle past the Manchester United goalkeeper. Gundogan almost capped off his performance with a hattrick but was ruled offside swiftly after scoring his third of the afternoon.

The fixture ended 2-1, with Manchester United fans and players devastated, whilst at the other end of the stadium, their rivals were elated. The treble dream remains insight, Inter Milan are United's only hope to protect their historic treble winning campaign all those years ago. City look to join their rivals in achieving this feat on Saturday night in Istanbul.

Speedy Start Stuns United

Pep Guariola’s side stunned Manchester United instantly with the quickest ever FA Cup final goal, in-form midfielder Ilkay Gundogan put his side ahead with a superb strike fit for any cup final. It only took 13 seconds, beating the previous goal by 12 seconds!

Erling Haaland met the long ball in the air and cushioned it down De Bruyne who knocked it on to the German who blasted the ball beyond David De Gea. The United keeper was rooted to the spot and could do nothing other than watch the net bulge.

Minutes later midfield partner Rodri came agonisingly close to doubling the lead inside 5 minutes; Kevin De Bruyne - who had claimed the assist shortly before - whipped the ball into the box from a set piece.

The Spaniard escaped his marker and met the cross with a bullet header that only just went wide of the near post. Another warning for United who seemed like a deer in the headlight at the start of this final.

1-0 Man City, and they nearly made it two; with the quality they’ve got, it could turn out to be a very long afternoon for the Red Devils.

Bruno Fernandes Converts From 12 Yards

Around the half-hour mark, Manchester United got a little bit of luck to get them back into the final. A controversial spot kick was awarded to the away side after Jack Grealish handled the ball inside the box.

Bruno Fernandes lofted the ball out to Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right flank, him and Grealish went up for an aerial duel which the United defender won. The United players called for handball when Wan-Bissaka's header struck the fingers of Grealish who didn't seem to know anything about it as he was looking in the opposite direction.

Initially referee Paul Tierney didn't award the penalty, however, he was encouraged to look at the incident again by VAR and then decided to overturn his original decision. Some believed it was a harsh call although Grealish's hand was in an unnatural position as the ball skimmed his finger.

Bruno Fernandes stepped up and in true Bruno Fernandes fashion, nonchelantly rolled the ball home, sending Stefan Ortega the wrong way. Somehow United were level, after being completely dominated in the first 30 minutes.

Similarly to Pep Guardiola's side, United then used that momentum and almost got their second moments later. Raphael Varane had a great chance to put his side ahead just before the interval. Casemiro flicked the ball on from Christian Eriksen's delivery, finding Varane who had made a great run from outside the box. He arrived at the edge of the six yard box right in time to meet the ball on the volley but couldn't keep it down.

1-1 at half-time, with both captains on the scoresheet.

Captain Fantastic Does It Again

Gundogan gave his side the advantage once more will another long range effort. Kevin De Bruyne the man to set it up again with a perfect set-piece delivery.

The City captain was left totally alone on the edge of the box, and despite not getting the best connection on the strike with his weaker foot, he still managed to get the same outcome as before. The ball bounced awkwardly through lots of red shirts meaning De Gea didn't see it until it was too late, he got a hand to the strike but wasn't able to prevent it going into the net.

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag was left furious on the touch line as his players failed to pick up Gundogan on the edge of the box, out of all the players to give that much space and time to, he's the last person you want to give it to with the form he's been in recently.

Not Quite The Hat-trick Hero

Gundogan came so close to being the first FA Cup final hat-trick scorer since 1953. He finished the move he started but was ruled offside by the linesman.

The move started in the centre of the park with the City captain, who released the ball to Jack Grealish out on the left wing. Grealish's emerged into the Man United penalty area and teed up Erling Haaland. The Norwegians strike was denied by De Gea, however he couldn't do anything about the follow up as Gundogan lifted the ball over him, securing his hat-trick.

Gundogan's and City's celebrations where short lived though; the linesman had his flag up, as Gundogan was in an offside position when Haaland had the initial effort on goal. The score remained 2-1.

Plenty Of Chances For A Late Leveller

Manchester United refused to give in, towards the end of the match they had some golden opportunities to draw the game level and take it into extra time, similarly to their semi-final bout against Brighton and Hove Albion.

The substitution of Alejandro Garnacho, created a spark in the United side, the young winger created lots of chances and very nearly got himself on the scoresheet. Nobody closed him down on the edge of the box inviting him to shoot and he did just that. His curling effort came close but went just inches wide of the far post - Ortega was outstretched and beaten.

Right at the death United almost equalised again, a deep cross from Luke Shaw found Wout Weghorst at the back post, he plucked the ball out of the air and set up Varane. Ortega pounced on the feet of the World Cup winning defender, preventing the shot on goal. Absolute chaos ensued in the 6-yard box, the play ended with John Stones heading the ball off the line and then Ortega tipping the following attempt over the crossbar.

City Crowned Champions

Close but no cigar for Manchester United, the game concluded in a 2-1 victory meaning Man City are one win away from history, the treble dream is so nearly a reality. Arch rivals United couldn't prevent it, now the only team who can is Inter Milan. They face this super team on Saturday 10th June in Istanbul.

The Red Devils have now lost more FA Cup finals than any other club with nine defeats, however Ten Hag has had a positive debut campaign, a League Cup victory and a strong Premier League finish, there's lots to look forward to in the red half of Manchester.

As for Manchester City the FA Cup returns to the Etihad, now their focus turns to June 10th where they hope to replicate the unbelievable accomplishment their rivals managed to achieve all those years ago. This is the best chance they've had yet and possibly the best chance they'll ever get, they will go to Istanbul as favourites and on paper should be on track to win their first ever European Championship.

Starting XI's

Manchester City - (3-2-4-1) Stefan Ortega, Kyle Walker (Aymeric Laporte 90+5’), Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne (Phil Foden 76’), Jack Grealish (Nathan Ake 89’), Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland

Bookings - Stefan Ortega (81'-Y), Rodri (90'-Y)

Goalscorers - Ilkay Gundogan (1', 51')

Manchester United -  (4-2-3-1) David De Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof (Scott McTominay 83’), Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Christian Eriksen (Alejandro Garnacho 62’), Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho (Wout Weghorst 78’), Marcus Rashford

Bookings - Aaron Wan-Bissaka (45+4'-Y), Fred (79'-Y)

Goalscorer - Bruno Fernandes (33')

Referee - Paul Tierney

Attendance - 83, 179

Man of the Match - Ilkay Gundogan

Written by Isabelle Newnham