By Robert Wheeler
- City through after beating Sheffield United
- United need penalties to defeat Brighton
- Manchester derby set up for the final
LONDON, UK – A Manchester derby final has been set up, after City comfortably beat Sheffield United, whilst the Red Devils squeezed past Brighton on penalties.
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Mahrez’s hat trick sends City through
Manchester City booked their place in the final with a 3-0 victory over Sheffield United with Riyad Mahrez scoring the first semi-final hat trick since 1958. The Blades of the Championship put in a solid performance but were outdone but the class of Pep Guardiola‘s side.
Sheffield United had the best chance of the early stages when the ball fell to Iliman Ndiaye from a corner. However, the Senegalese forward squandered the opportunity. It was not long before Erling Haaland had the ball in the back of the net but the referee’s whistle had gone just before his strike from distance.
Mahrez scored his first from the penalty spot just before halftime after Daniel Jebbison had brought down Bernardo Silva in the box. The Algerian then dribbled through the Blades’ defence before slotting past Wesley Foderingham. He then fired in to complete his hat trick with a goal that was assisted by Jack Grealish.
Haaland and Grealish were then taken off by Guardiola. They have a title decider against Arsenal on Wednesday and City will need their best players fresh for that game. City is on for a treble with a place in the FA Cup final booked, games in hand to win the Premier League and a semi-final in the Champions League against Real Madrid coming up.
United edge past Brighton
Manchester United beat Brighton on penalties to set up the derby against City in the final. The Seagulls were a lot of people’s favourites going into this match and were the better side but it was Eric ten Hag‘s side who progressed after winning 7-6 on the spot-kicks.
History repeated itself. Brighton lost the 1983 FA Cup final to United with Gordon Smith missing a great chance for the Seagulls. Fast forward 40 years and Roberto De Zerbi‘s side missed a handful of chances to beat the team from Manchester. Danny Welbeck had a great chance from a corner, whilst Julio Enciso and Solly March both had efforts saved by David de Gea.
Robert Sanchez in goal also had work to do and made a great save to deny Marcus Rashford getting a late winner. After extra time, the match was still goalless and on in it went to the shootout. 13 perfect penalties were converted before March blazed his penalty over.
Brighton has done exceptionally well this season and is still on the hunt for European football in the Premier League. However, their wait for a first major trophy goes on. United have already won the EFL Cup final this year and could do a double if they defeat their neighbours City in the final.
The final between City and United will take place at Wembley on June 3, with kick-off at 15:00.
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