Manchester City stayed on course for treble glory when Pep Guardiola's side lifted the 2023 FA Cup courtesy of a 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, June 3.
The two sides cancelled each other out in the first half, with Ilkay Gundogan's early stunner after 12 seconds pegged back by a Bruno Fernandes penalty that saw the teams level at 1-1 as they went into the dressing rooms for the break.
Gundogan then grabbed his brace with a scrappier goal in the second half, not David de Gea's finest moment in what proved to be his final game for the club.
The City midfielder thought he had a hat-trick, but his third in the 72nd minute was correctly flagged for offside. Had it been given, it would have been the first FA Cup final hat-trick for 70 years.
City went on to defeat Internazionale 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League final a week later to complete their clean sweep. If they beat United in the 2024 FA Cup final they will be the first English team to win consecutive domestic doubles.
MORE: Relive the 2023 FA Cup final with a minute-by-minute account of the Man City win
Man City win 2023 FA Cup final
In the first ever FA Cup final Manchester derby, City emerged with their seventh FA Cup title across the club's history, and third since 2010. For Manchester United, it's the club's ninth defeat in an FA Cup final, and second straight, still without an FA Cup title since 2016.
MORE: Manchester City one match away from treble
Ilkay Gundogan scores fastest FA Cup final goal
After just 12 seconds, Manchester City had the lead over their rivals Man United in the 2023 FA Cup final, the first one in history between the Manchester rivals.
The goal came courtesy of Ilkay Gundogan, who crashed home a sensational volley of spectacular skill and precision.
It was the fastest goal in FA Cup final history, beating the previous record set by Louis Saha of Everton in the 2009 FA Cup final, scored 25 seconds into the match.
THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE 🤯@IlkayGuendogan with an incredible volley for @ManCity, and it's the FASTER EVER #EmiratesFACup Final goal! pic.twitter.com/x95dNx9a8w
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) June 3, 2023
MORE: A full breakdown of Ilkay Gundogan's record-breaking goal
Jack Grealish handball leads to Bruno Fernandes penalty
While Man City dominated much of the first half, Bruno Fernandes gave Manchester United a lifeline as he deposited a penalty in the 33rd minute to make it 1-1.
The chance was afforded when a cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka grazed the fingertips of Jack Grealish in the penalty area. While referee Paul Tierney did not immediately give the penalty, a VAR check eventually saw him point to the spot.
The penalty was, by the Laws of the Game, the correct decision, but it sparked a wider discussion about how the handball rule is currently written. Regardless, Fernandes sent goalkeeper Stefan Ortega the wrong way and United were even again.
Ice cold 🥶@B_Fernandes8 bags from the spot 🎯#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/9OURRxZoGH
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) June 3, 2023
Gundogan gets brace on De Gea howler
After halftime, Man City's big game player cropped up again, as Ilkay Gundogan grabbed his brace in the 51st minute.
It wasn't nearly as sparkling as his first goal, but it came in similar fashion, hitting a volley from outside the top of the box. This time he hit it with his left foot, and the contact just wasn't clean, scuffed into the ground producing a worm burner, but it didn't matter as it crept into the back of the net.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was not well-positioned, failing to track across his goal mouth as the ball made its way to Gundogan shaded to the left side of the penalty area, and the Spaniard reacted slowly, failing to reach the slow-moving bouncer. Somehow, incredibly, he was unable to reach it.
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC 🦸@IlkayGuendogan with another magical volley ✨#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/HLCo4VpARt
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) June 3, 2023
