Toure fires City into final

End of the road for United after City reign triumphant in Wembley semi

Last updated: 17th April 2011  

Manchester City v Manchester United FA Cup Paul Scholes off

Scholes: Red card for dangerous tackle on Zabaleta

Manchester City v Manchester United FA Cup Yaya Toure celeb

Celebrations: City are jubilant after Toure's winner

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Yaya Toure of Manchester City celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FA Cup

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Manchester City Manchester United Wembley FA Cup celebrate

City: Through to the FA Cup final

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Manchester City booked their spot in the FA Cup final after Yaya Toure's goal fired them to a 1-0 victory over local rivals Manchester United at Wembley.

The win sees City take a step closer to securing their first piece of silverware in 35 years, while ending United's hopes of clinching a much-coveted Treble this season.

Toure broke the deadlock with a second-half strike after a woeful blunder from Michael Carrick to hand Sir Alex Ferguson's side an uphill struggle to recover.

And their task was made even harder soon after when Paul Scholes saw red for a nasty high tackle on Pablo Zabaleta.

Final

The Red Devils failed to produce a revival as Roberto Mancini's men managed to preserve their lead to advance to the decider, where they will face Bolton or Stoke depending on the outcome of Sunday's last-four clash.

Unfortunately, firebrand Mario Balotelli threatened to put a dampener on celebrations when he unwisely rejoiced in front of the United fans, triggering a shoving match with Anderson and an angry reaction from Rio Ferdinand - who also squared up to City coach David Platt.

The current Premier League leaders took a stranglehold on the contest as soon as the polite opening exchanges had been completed.

That the Red Devils did not go in front during that prolonged period of dominance was due to a magnificent save from Joe Hart and a moment to forget for Berbatov.

Challenged to respond to the startling emergence of Javier Hernandez by his manager, the City goal first opened up for Berbatov when Carrick intercepted a Gareth Barry pass and began a fabulous one-touch move that involved Scholes and Park Ji-sung.

The Bulgarian found himself one-on-one with the outstanding Hart and went for the bottom corner. The England goalkeeper won.

United quickly retrieved possession and when Nani gave Zabaleta the slip, his low cross invited the close-range finish. However, the man who had found the net for United 22 times this season scooped over from inside the six-yard box.

Nemanja Vidic turned an Antonio Valencia corner wide and Berbatov looped a far-post header just over as City's defence continued to creak without snapping completely.

It was half an hour before City managed to push their opponents back and make them do some defending of their own.

Although he had been close to non-existent after being handed the job of filling the massive gap created by Carlos Tevez's hamstring injury, Balotelli eventually burst into life, letting fly with a rasping 30-yard drive Van der Sar touched over.

Had Balotelli got on the end of Adam Johnson's corner shortly afterwards, United would have been in trouble.

As it was, the ball floated over the Italian to Joleon Lescott, who could not keep his first-time volley down.

Blues skipper Vincent Kompany curled a 20-yard effort just wide as half-time approached, then Balotelli failed to keep a near-post effort on target immediately after the break.

However, they were not about to let United off the hook in the manner Berbatov had done earlier.

Toure needed the assistance of a woeful attempt to find Scholes by Carrick.

But once the Ivorian had been invited into the Red Devils' box, he finished in style, beating Van der Sar with a low shot through the veteran Dutchman's legs.

Now it was United's turn to wobble, just as they did in the Carling Cup semi-final 15 months ago.

On that occasion, Mancini failed to seize the initiative, settling for what he had in the first leg and watching his team swept aside in the second.

They didn't have Toure then, or David Silva.

It was the Spain star who crossed to present Lescott with another golden opportunity, which the England defender headed wide.

Given Ferguson compared the striker to Gary Lineker on Friday, it was not a surprise Hernandez was asked to complete a salvage mission.

When the Mexican was introduced, United already had the free-kick that Hart pushed onto the bar as Nani went for the roof of City's net.

Challenge

The comeback powers of Ferguson's team are the stuff of legend. Scholes' awful challenge on Zabaleta presented a challenge even they were up against it.

Carrick tried to atone for his blunder with a curling shot and Park attempted to steer a header towards goal but on neither occasion was Hart troubled to make the save.

As valiant as United's 10 men fought, City came closer to increasing their lead through Balotelli at the end.

It didn't matter and now the door to glory stands ajar for Mancini's men.

Manchester CityTeam StatisticsManchester United
1Goals0
01st Half Goals0
2Shots on Target4
7Shots off Target8
4Blocked Shots5
7Corners6
15Fouls9
1Offsides4
4Yellow Cards0
0Red Cards1
81.2Passing Success81.1
24Tackles18
75Tackles Success88.9
45.5Possession54.5
49.1Territorial Advantage50.9

Comments (186)

Bill Barton (Manchester City fan) says...

Is it a punishable offence for Balotelli to show his shirt badge to Man. u. fans? If so Gary Neville should have been punished after almost every Derby Game won by United (and they have won a few!). Forget that, there was only one team in the game after the first half hour and particularly in the second half. Man of the match Ya Ya? Hart? Everyone has failed to notice that Zabaleta won every tackle and never put a pass astray in addition to giving City options when they went forward. The moon is blue. City for Life. Bill Barton

Posted 12:16 17th April 2011

Tony Neville (Manchester United fan) says...

Tony Neville(man u fan) not bothered about the result more bothered about Tuesday nights game at Newcastle . Also that entertaining master tactician Mancini will be there another 12 months now so he can squander another 200M on also rans then the year after is EUFA s break even policy starting so it's bye bye to the big spenders.

Posted 12:05 17th April 2011

Peter Dalziel (Manchester United fan) says...

Looking at all of these comments, some good, some bad, there is 1 recurring theme...... Carrick MUST go ! I never understood why Fergie bought him in the first place. Anyway, well done City.

Posted 12:04 17th April 2011

Jeris Lendore (Manchester United fan) says...

I think its funny that some people are saying that Berbatov has to go. Is he not the current Premier League's top scorer? Ok, its true that a few of the top strikers have been misfiring this season (Defoe, Torres, Drogba to name a few) but give the man a break. Yes, he should have scored but he didnt. Thats football. I would have picked him over Hernandez for this game because of his hold up play. (Personally I think he is one of the best at it). Hernandez would be wasteful as a lone striker. As for the Scholes challenge, I have no argument. It was nasty and lets be honest, its not the first time we have seen him do something like that. I think SAF should have realised that the game was passing Scholes by and taken him off sooner. NOTE TO CARRICK: An old saying. "If in doubt, boot it out!"

Posted 11:40 17th April 2011

Michael Munchhausens (Manchester United fan) says...

Lets put this in context shall we, it ranked as one of United's poorest performances this year, couple that with the best City can produce & the result's inevitable. Michael Carrick needs singling out for the firing squad, he's been poor at best this season (& last truth be told). I would rank him as a mediocre Championship player in this form. Yes he produced a good pass the other week, but that'smore than counterbalanced by the utter rubbish he produces week in week out, yesterday being the culmination of his ability to screw up. One can only hope Fergie gave him a new contract to increase his value come summer. As for Mr Gibson the Leeds fan - isn't your ground due for demolition? or am I mixing that up with lower Wortley bowling club? When, and only when your torrid club have produced anything of worth, comment, otherwise button it. United now need to concentrate on maintaining, and trying to increase that 4 point gap, the Champoins League is a must, but beware Schalke, they've been sneaking up on the rails for some time now. Barcelona could fall in a one off against Real, Mourinio knows how to do it as proven last year, so have heart United fans, how many times have we been here, it's just one game and one bloody awful midfielder.

Posted 11:29 17th April 2011

David Mulvey (Blyth Spartans fan) says...

Well done City you deserved it no doubt about that. Come on United get behind the lads Premier League and Champions League to go, dont let us down. Looserpool, Arrrsenal, Chelski. what a bunch of loosers and you fans make me laugh. 2 london clubs are just one season wonders and looserpool history is all you can dwell on!!! ha ha ha. United and City will be the best teams in the North for many years to come.

Posted 10:52 17th April 2011

Kevin Bridge (Blackpool fan) says...

Glad to see scholes get the deserved red card. he's been getting away with awful tackling all his career. city deserved the win but i still wouldn't bank on them winning it. And the final whistle saw another reason why Ferdinand should never be England captain.

Posted 10:45 17th April 2011

David Randall (Nottingham Forest fan) says...

I was suprised when United signed Carrick as I never rated him and he has more poor games than good ones; People ask why neutral fans dislike Man. U. so much; It is the arrogance of the Manager, staff, fans and players; Yesterday proved they are very bad losers as well

Posted 10:41 17th April 2011

Lee Davidson (Liverpool fan) says...

What a great result for the better half of Manchester! This is the first one of 3 united won't win! Schalke & Arsenal will see to it you win nothing this season, then you won't know what's hit when Liverpool roar back to take the titles you have babysat for the past few years. Mid table time for you boys, you'll see!!

Posted 10:39 17th April 2011

Mark Stallard (Bristol City fan) says...

Some silly comments being made on here. It was an average game which won't stay in our minds for too long. A lot of people acted like children but Rio stands out above the rest. As a neutrel, I'm pleased he is no longer England captain. City deserved it on the day (just). The city fans made it for me

Posted 10:03 17th April 2011

Les Arundel (Manchester City fan) says...

Its great to see city in the final, beating our nieghbours on the way. We deserved it because we were the better team.

Posted 09:54 17th April 2011

Su won Chung (Manchester United fan) says...

Carrick is just not having his best season this year, but he's alright. City were just, brilliant, all of their players were brilliant (except de Jong), especially Hart, Toure and Kompany.I watched the whole match and United dominated at the very first and at the very last, which is not good. You shouldn't say to let go of players coz they can jump back to form anytime, but United should definately get some players. For United, van der Sar, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra and Park played the best. I have no idea why sir alex keeps putting O'shea, he's slow and uncapable of defending with lack of creativity. Would've put Fabio instead (even though hes more to the left). Valencia disappointing, cutting passes and poor crosses. Nani was good, but he slowed the tempo down at 2nd half. Park should've played instead of Carrick, as his stamina is great but his speed is not the best, so he would help with defending and going forward with short and through passes. Scholes was good, but the reckless challenge was awful, would've rather player Anderson.

Posted 09:50 17th April 2011

Matt Mosse (Manchester United fan) says...

I wish people would stop the moaning and just accept it was a good game. Let City enjoy it, but United still have the 2 big ones, so saying they're "overrated" or "past it" is a load of rubbish. City being as they are now makes the games more exciting and more satisfying when we win, from a Rooney overhead kick for example. If Rooney, Giggs and a fully fit Valencia had played we are a different team but we were bullied by City's CMs.

Posted 09:46 17th April 2011

Patmo M (Manchester City fan) says...

Deserved win for city. United switched off after being the better team for 25 mins. BUT stop knocking United. If other teams had their dominance in domestic competition (you know who you are) you would have their arrogance. United have rode their luck this season and scraped results. On this day. they failed, it happens to all teams. Only time will see if this is a shift of power. City are a growing team...not there yet but getting closer. It will be superb to win some silverware for us but we do have the final to play.

Posted 09:25 17th April 2011

Roger Mellie (Manchester City fan) says...

Thanks Blues, this result has made history and we now have to win the cup to make the semi win even more important. Got to say it is nice to see some United fans taking the loss and praising Man City. Scholes challenge was terrible, the intention in his face and his expression when the ref was dealing with him, I think this is the end for him now. Every City player played with theit heart as well as their minds, and it showed. Come on City, we need to win the rest of our games and get the 3rd spot and then win the FA Cup on 14th May.

Posted 09:23 17th April 2011

Alan Walker (Chelsea fan) says...

SHOWS HOW PLAYING THE BLUES TWICE IN A WEEK TAKES IT OUT OF ANY TEAM HOPE IT HAPPENS IN EUROPE TOO!!BY THE WAY HOW MANY MAN U WERE ACTUALLY ON THE M 1!!!

Posted 09:15 17th April 2011

Nicki Dupre (Manchester United fan) says...

Basically hernandez would've buried those chances we didn't play well city deserved it scholes was right to be sent of but i hope this just inspires us to go get the double i bet you bolton get to the final and beat city. Bolton deserve it city don't they've worked hard without resources and city have just bought it and the same with stoke if they get through.I still doubt city's chances.

Posted 09:05 17th April 2011

Andy Leigh (Manchester City fan) says...

BAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAA

Posted 08:34 17th April 2011

Nqobani william Tendele (Manchester United fan) says...

It wasn't our day, u win sme u lose, nd we lost this tym bt we have 2 keep our heads up. We still have 2 major competitions nd we hav a chance 2 win GO Man U GO

Posted 08:00 17th April 2011

James Walker (Manchester City fan) says...

paul scholes whats the score wht didnt fergie speak to any reporters cos they lost and wots he excuse rooney didt play wot a shame so man u r a 1 man team city till i die shut up scholes

Posted 07:46 17th April 2011

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