We rewind the clock back to April 2011 and a seismic and defining semi-final clash with Manchester United – and one which was settled by an unforgettable piece of Yaya Toure magic.
Fittingly for such a colossus of a player, Yaya’s decisive intervention came on the biggest stage and against our arch-rivals in what was the first ever FA Cup semi-final between the two Manchester sides.
As only to be expected, the clash proved an intense, hard-fought and at times nerve-jangling affair.
With the stakes so high, it was always destined to be settled by a piece of individual brilliance – and so it proved with Yaya breaking the deadlock seven minutes into the second half.
Capitalising on a Michael Carrick mistake, the Ivory Coast midfield maestro used his pace and power to first evade Nemanja Vidic before slotting home past Edwin van der Sar to send the travelling City fans into ecstasy!
The goal not only sealed our first FA Cup final appearance in 30 years, just as crucially it would ultimately pave the way for City to go on and finally end a 35-year trophy drought by beating Stoke in the final - where Yaya struck again.
Not surprisingly it was a moment to cherish and savour for Yaya.
“I am very happy. We have beaten our big rivals, which is fantastic and we are going to enjoy it,” he reflected.
“I am really happy for the fans. They have been waiting 35 years for a trophy. It is a long time.
“I think this is going to be the year for Manchester City.”
How right he was!
Be at City’s FA Cup semi-final!
Pep Guardiola’s brilliant Blues are on the hunt for yet more silverware under Wembley’s famous arch.
We return to the national stadium on Saturday 25 April in a 17:15 (UK) kick-off for our FA Cup semi-final with Southampton.
And Members can be there with prices starting from £30 for adults and £20 for U18s and over 65s.
As we’ve seen with other recent Wembley visits, it’s an occasion not to be missed!
