Ilkay Gundogan’s brace helped Manchester City to a 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final 2023.
Manchester City completed the second triumph of their historical treble chase of 2022/23 by claiming their seventh FA Cup title in their 12th appearance in the final. The Sky Blues shirt beat United in a highly anticipated Manchester derby at Wembley on Saturday, 3 May 2023. They will complete the set and match the feat of their rivals’ 1999 achievement if they win the 2022/23 Champions League final against Inter next week.
City got off to a flyer when Ilkay Gundogan placed his volley inside Manchester United’s net only seconds after kick-off. David de Gea didn’t leap for it as it caught him by surprise. However, Pep Guardiola’s men failed to build on their lead as the Red Devils came back into the match. Shortly after the half-hour mark, Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross skimmed the fingers of Jack Grealish’s little outstretched arm inside the box leading to a penalty consulted by the VAR. Bruno Fernandes had no problem making it 1-1 from the spot.
That did not derail City from their destiny as it was Gundogan again who restored the lead for his club. United conceded from a rather scuffed volley this time which De Gea saw it late to do anything about it. The German put the ball into the net for the third time from a rebound off Erling Haaland’s saved shot only for the offside flag to cancel his hat-trick. Erik ten Hag’s men got the chance to take the game to extra-time but Raphael Varane’s saved effort hit the crossbar while substitute Scott McTominay’s follow-up header was tipped over by City’s cup keeper Stefan Ortega.
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Stats and Records
First
This is the first Manchester derby played in the FA Cup final. These two have now met for a total of 10 times in the competition.
Third
This is the third meeting between the two clubs from Manchester at the Wembley Stadium. The last two came in the year 2011 with City winning the FA Cup semifinal tie 1-0 while United won the Community Shield in a 3-2 thriller.
Hall of Fame
Pep Guardiola has become the third manager in English football history after Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson, did it thrice, to win the League and FA Cup double in multiple seasons after doing it in 2018/19 season.
21
This is the 21st time Manchester United competed in a FA Cup final. The joint-most by any side in the competition alongside Arsenal.
32
Ilkay Gundogan has become the oldest player to score a brace in a FA Cup final at the age of 32 years and 222 days since Nat Lofthouse, 32 years and 249 days, in 1958. The opposition was also Manchester United incidentally.
In seconds
With his volley inside 12 seconds, Ilkay Gundogan scored the fastest ever goal in a FA Cup final beating Louis Saha's previous record of 25 seconds in 2009.
Also the first
This is the first time in FA Cup history that the starting captains for both sides, Gundogan for Manchester City and Bruno Fernandes for Manchester United, have scored in the final of the competition.
Ninth
Manchester United have now lost nine FA Cup finals which is more than any side in the history of the competition. The Red Devils have also lost four of their last five finals in the FA Cup.
Double
Manchester City have made the Premier League and FA Cup double for the second time in their history after doing so in the 2018-19 season.
