City’s clean sweep
Manchester City’s resounding FA Cup Final win sealed a historic domestic treble for the Sky Blues, to go with their Premier League title and EFL Cup success earlier this year. But Pep Guardiola’s team weren’t the only side representing the Etihad Stadium club to lift FA honours this season. Just two weeks ago, Manchester City Ladies were also lifting silverware at Wembley after beating West Ham United 3-0 in the SSE Women’s FA Cup Final. The club also came close to completing an FA treble, but their U18s lost on a penalty shootout to Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup Final last month.
Win of a century
City’s six-goal margin of victory meant this was the biggest scoreline racked up by any team in the FA Cup Final in 116 years. It was a vastly different game when Bury beat Derby County by the same scoreline in 1903 at Crystal Palace, but not many would’ve predicted it might be this long before it was matched. Guardiola’s men almost set another record in stoppage time too, but substitute John Stones fired over when well placed inside the box.
Raheem’s dream
It’s an oft-told tale about Raheem Sterling growing up in the shadow of Wembley Stadium and he’s certainly no stranger to playing on the famous turf whether that’s with England or City’s regular trips here in other competitions. But this one was extra special for Sterling, who spoke in the FA Cup match programme about his memories of Cup Final day growing up as he now collects his first FA Cup winners’ medal having scored a brace.
Coin toss off target
Cup Final referee Kevin Friend didn’t seem to let any nerves get the better of him during the game, but when confronted by Vincent Kompany and Troy Deeney for the pre-match coin toss his aim was well off-target. The Leicestershire official’s coin flick flew off to his left and landed on the Wembley turf behind him, prompting a few early chuckles all round to help settle any early nerves.
The Circle of Life
The image of Sir Elton John crying after the 1984 Final is synonymous in FA Cup folklore. But there was to be no repeat this year, as the Watford fanatic was unable to attend Saturday’s game due to performing a concert in Copenhagen. However, he was represented by his two sons Zachary and Elijah, who led out the Watford team with captain Troy Deeney before the game. It might not have ended the way they would’ve wanted, but we hope the boys enjoyed their day.
