Manchester City vs Sheffield United. The FA Cup Semi-Final.
Wembley StadiumAttendance69,603.
Match report as Mahrez strikes three times at Wembley to knock out Championship side and book FA Cup final spot on June 3 against either Man Utd or Brighton; treble-chasing City also in semi-finals of Champions League and face Premier League leaders Arsenal on Wednesday at Etihad Stadium
Sunday 23 April 2023 11:23, UK
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola joked that Manchester United fans do not need to be scared about his side winning the treble this season, insisting it was still "far away" after they booked their place in the FA Cup final.
Riyad Mahrez's hat-trick ensured City reached the showpiece occasion next month with a 3-0 victory over Championship side Sheffield United at Wembley to end a run of three successive semi-final losses.
With the Premier League title now firmly in their hands ahead of a decisive match with Arsenal on Wednesday and in the last four of the Champions League they look a good bet to match United's fabled achievement in 1999.
Guardiola mused that the once 'noisy neighbours' now enjoy a cordial relationship with their city rivals and have nothing to be worried about, but anyone who is thinking of winning the treble is not being realistic.
"They don't have to be scared, we are neighbours, the neighbours are always nice to each other," he said.
"We are far away, people cannot believe that we are far away with this kind of situation. It is OK for people to discuss it for a funny moment, but the reality is different. The reality is to come here and perform."
City had lost at the semi-final stage of this competition three years running but their FA Cup final appearance will form part of their hunt for three trophies at the end of this season.
They host wobbling Premier League leaders Arsenal in a crucial game at the Etihad on Wednesday night, while a Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid is to come in May, as City aim to replicate the 1998/99 treble heroics of their neighbours Man Utd.
Wednesday is a big night for Sheffield United too - they can secure a return to the Premier League with victory over West Brom and cap a memorable season. But Saturday's test was too tough.
City had lost four of their last five matches at Wembley and the big favourites on Saturday had an early scare moments after kick-off when a corner came to Ndiaye at the back post - but he could not angle his shot past Ortega. Just minutes later he fired past the near post, after racing onto a flick-on.
It was a super start from the underdogs but their real challenge was to keep City at bay at the other end, which they set about with real determination. Guardiola's men took complete control of the ball, racking up 80 per cent possession at one point, but could not get near Wes Foderingham's goal. Sheffield United's deep defence restricted Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva to speculative efforts from distance.
With half-time approaching, City looked short of inspiration in the final third - but Jebbison's moment of inexperience gifted them a way through. The teenager swivelled and struck at the ball to try to clear when Bernardo Silva miscued a volley into the air but floored the Portuguese in the process.
Mahrez made no mistake from the spot, striking into the bottom corner.
City started the second half with more purpose, with Erling Haaland unable to turn in a deflected Sergio Gomez shot and Alvarez shooting over. But they were handed another opening on the hour mark when John Egan and Jack Robinson backed off Mahrez, who suddenly found himself in the box and able to convert his second.
The tie was sealed five minutes later when Mahrez met Grealish's centre sweetly, whipping the ball home despite Foderingham getting a hand to the shot. He now has 19 goal contributions (12 goals and seven assists) in 23 appearances since the World Cup break.
From there on it was a procession. Sheffield United have now lost in their last six FA Cup semi-finals - but their celebrations could come in midweek. For City, the big prizes are almost within reach.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola: "It's the fourth time in a row we're here, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool we could not do it. We did really well. I'm really satisfied for the club, after many years, to be in the FA Cup final.
"Mahrez is an exceptional player, a big-stage player, he has the mentality to score goals. His composure for the penalty was important. He loves to play football and he's given many things in these years and hopefully more in the future.
"They had a clear chance in the first minute. Every set-piece was dangerous. In the first half we didn't win one second ball. But we moved them well. We lacked a little bit to find Julian and Erling. But in general it was a really good performance, knowing from three days ago where we were. In the locker room we saw the vibe the guys were here."
Roy Keane speaking to ITV: "Pep has been on this road before, peaking at the right time. They look in great shape to get over the line in all competitions.
"[Would it irritate me if Man City matched Man Utd's treble?] Yes. But I wouldn't begrudge teams, I know how hard it is to win trophies. If Man City go on to win it, well done, but they have a few hurdles to get over, particularly Real Madrid. I think that is the tough one to come as they're red-hot favourites for the league and FA Cup."
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom: "There's a lot of frustration there. I can't get away from we gave City the first two goals. But if we get the points we want on Wednesday and get where we want to be, that's the benchmark.
"We didn't score when we had the first two moments of the game, which is critical against the best. We knew there were moments where we had to suffer. But to concede a penalty when we did was poor on our part.
"There's contact and it's never going to be overturned. He'll learn from it, he's down. But games come thick and fast and in three days' time we're back to the day job and have to be ready to go."
Arsenal visit Manchester City on Wednesday April 26 in the Premier League; kick off 8pm. Sheffield United host West Brom in the Sky Bet Championship on the same evening, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 8pm.
