City of Manchester united in footballing celebration
Teams from Manchester today claimed the top honours in English domestic football, with United topping the league for the 19th time while City beat Stoke in the FA Cup Final.
Manchester City claimed their first major trophy for 35 years today when Yaya Toure’s goal ensured a 1-0 victory over Stoke City in the FA Cup Final.
Manager Roberto Mancini, in his second season with the club, was under pressure to deliver something silverware to completement the Champions League qualification his club secured last week by dint of a fourth place in the Premier League.
When they were acquired in 2009 by Sheikh Mansour, City became the wealthiest club in the world. The elite footballers on display in the light-blue shirts at Wembley, including £185,000 a week goalscorer Yaya Toure, were in contrast to Stoke’s team – a side put together on a relative shoestring by manager Tony Pulis.
Perhaps predictably, City’s millionaires showed more ambition in an FA Cup Final that was by no means a classic.
Perhaps predictably, City showed more ambition in an FA Final that was by no means a classic.
Captain Carlos Tevez, rumoured to be on his way from Eastlands once the season is over, worked tirelessly, despite having only recently returned to the first team from injury.
During the first half, Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen produced two flying leaps to deny Tevez and Italian striker Mario Balotelli.
In the second half, Stoke strike Kenwyne Jones would have been clean through but for a block by City’s England goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Then, 16 minutes from full time, Toure drove a loose ball past Sorensen from the edge of the 10-yard box to secure victory for the Blues.
By the time the FA Cup started, Manchester United had already secured their 19th top spot in the English league, and their 12th under manager Sir Alex Ferguson, with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn.
Blackburn had gone ahead in the first half thanks to a Brett Emerton goal in the 20th minute, and United looked to be heading for defeat until striker Hernandez – the Reds’ discovery of the season – appeared to be brought down in the penalty area by Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson.
Wayne Rooney converted the penalty, and the Champions League finalists needed only to maintain parity to secure English football’s top prize.