A Riyad Mahrez hat-trick saw Manchester City progress to the FA Cup final on Saturday, thanks to a 3-0 win over Sheffield United.
It was a disciplined display from Pep Guardiola’s men at Wembley, who rested several players but barely had to get out of second gear. Mahrez’s penalty at the end of an underwhelming first half gave City the lead, while he grabbed two more in the second half of the semi-final.
It was actually Sheffield United who registered the first shot of the game inside the opening two minutes, with Stefan Ortega forced into a smart save to deny an effort from Iliman Ndiaye, while the City stopper also comfortably held Jack Robinson’s strike in the opening exchanges.
But it was City who were dominating possession, and Erling Haaland did find the net after 15 minutes, only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul on Oliver Norwood a few seconds before. Midway through the first half Riyad Mahrez curled an effort wide, before Wes Foderingham kept out a Julian Alvarez shot.
The Blades defended excellently in the first period and gave City almost no room to create attacks, but a rash moment from Daniel Jebbison in the latter stages of the half gifted the Blues the advantage in the game. The Sheffield United striker hacked down Bernadro Silva inside the box and left Stuart Atwell with no alternative but to point to the spot. Mahrez stood up and, from 12 yards, confidently placed the ball into the back of the net.
The second period followed a similar pattern with City dominating possession with Haaland going close when he slid in at the back post and poke wide from a deflected Sergio Gomez shot.
On the hour mark City doubled their lead. Mahrez picked the ball up on the edge of the centre circle and ran at a bamboozled Sheffield United defence. Neither John Egan or Robinson looked comfortable and after a slight feint, Mahrez drove in between the pair and passed the ball into the back of the net.
Five minutes later it was a hat-trick for the Algerian, as he side-footed past Foderingham inside the box from Jack Grealish’s perfectly weighted pass.
After that, it was a relatively quiet end to a game that was evidently wrapped up, but Alvarez and Cole Palmer did have late chances that flew just wide. Here’s how we rated the City players...
1. Stefan Ortega- 6
Made two early saves and looked confident with his feet at Wembley.
2. Kyle Walker- 7
Did well on the ball and didn’t have much to deal with at the back. Walker advanced down the line a lot and was often an option for the man on the ball.
3. Manuel Akanji- 6
Had a quiet afternoon at the heart of the City back four.
4. Aymeric Laporte- 6
Made some nice passes and will be delighted to get 90 minutes in his legs.