50 years after our famous FA Cup triumph under Joe Mercer, Pep Guardiola’s class of 2019 showed their quality to go down in the history books.
The result is the joint-biggest winning margin in an FA Cup final, equalling Bury’s 6-0 triumph over Derby in 1903.
It marks the end of a momentous season for City, who have scored 169 goals in all competitions, a new record for a top-flight English side.
What happened?
Watford had the first significant chance of the game.
A lightning break down the right-hand side from Gerard Deulofeu had City stretched, and he managed to square the ball to Ricardo Pereyra, who was clean through on goal, one-on-one with Ederson.
But the Brazilian, as he so often has this season, came to City’s rescue with a brilliant sprawling save.
City were somewhat on the back foot until David Silva, lashing home his tenth of the season with a fine first-time finish past Heurelho Gomes, gave City the lead after 26 minutes.
That saw the dynamic of the game change drastically, with City assuming complete control.
Gabriel Jesus, making his 100th appearance for City, doubled our lead five minutes before half-time, latching on to a fine ball to the back post from the irrepressible Bernardo Silva.
😬 | Sorry, @sterling7 – the match officials have awarded @ManCity‘s second goal to @gabrieljesus33. #EmiratesFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/cU1NHsChwV
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 18, 2019
Kevin De Bruyne made it 3-0 moments after coming off the bench. He collected a square ball from Jesus, rounded Gomes and slotted home. A moment of typical class from the Belgian.
Jesus’ second, a cool finish past Gomes, put City in total command, before Raheem Sterling‘s late double completed the rout and saw City lift the FA Cup for the sixth time in the Club’s history.
Man of the Match: Gabriel Jesus
Two goals and an assist on his 100th City appearance, it was a special display from Jesus. He also ran tirelessly, never letting the Watford backline rest.
He’s selfless, hard-working and technically excellent. There’s plenty more to come from the 22-year-old.
Total control
City have enjoyed a quite remarkable season.
The first side to achieve back-to-back Premier League titles, earning 98 points to pip a fantastic Liverpool side to the trophy, our Premier League campaign was scintillating.
And with the Community Shield and League Cup already secured, City are now winners of every single major English trophy this season after the win over Watford.
No men’s side has ever managed that feat. This is a special squad of players, managed by the very best in world football.
Never will it be forgotten!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 18, 2019
🔵 #mancity 🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/CIO7nm8u6j
Raising standards
The question for Guardiola is this: how do City improve again next season?
He was asked the same question 12 months ago in the aftermath of our record-breaking 100-point Premier League season and has answered emphatically.
City may have posted two less points in this Premier League campaign, but given the pressure placed on us by a fine Liverpool side, it’s a more significant achievement.
Along the way we’ve scored 168 goals – a new record for a top-flight English club.
It’s now 27 major trophies and counting for Guardiola, which only underlines his genius.
City are in safe hands. Who would bet against the Catalan making us even better next term?
PEP 💬 It was an incredible final.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 18, 2019
We have finished an incredible year.
It’s not been done before in this country. One team is going to do it again, because if we were able to do that then another team can do it.
But we were the first.
🔵 #mancity 🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/Ze4FvPucB7
What’s next?
Rest! After 61 matches in a all competitions this season, City’s squad will now take some time out to recuperate.
There will be an open-top parade in Manchester on Monday evening to celebrate this season’s successes, before the players depart on their summer holidays for some well-earned recovery time.
The exception to that, of course, is our England contingent, who will join up with Gareth Southgate and his backroom team ahead of this summer’s UEFA Nations League finals weekend, which takes place between June 5-9, and our four Brazilian players named for Copa America duty.
City head to China, Hong Kong and Japan in July for this summer’s pre-season tour, which is when preparations for next season get under way.
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