Manchester City culminated an outstanding season by annihilating Watford at Wembley to clinch a historic domestic treble.
Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus both scored twice, helping City become the first English men’s side to achieve the feat of winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup (Carabao Cup) in the same season, reaffirming their status as this season’s dominant force.
The 6-0 victory was the biggest FA Cup final win since Bury defeated Derby 6-0 in 1903.
The contest for Watford was essentially over the moment David Silva finished from close range 26 minutes in, before Jesus doubled their advantage just before the break.
If Watford’s afternoon wasn’t already bad enough, as soon as Kevin de Bruyne came off the bench there was no hope of a comeback, despite a number of opportunities for the Hornets. Their best chance of over-turning the odds came early on when City keeper Ederson saved at the feet of Roberto Pereya.
Watford were furious when referee Kevin Friend waved away penalty appeals after Vincent Kompany blocked Abdoulaye Doucoure‘s shot. The Hornets then rallied briefly after the break but were always wide open to counterattacks.
It was City’s sixth FA Cup triumph and their first under Pep Guardiola, who has now won six trophies since taking over at the Manchester club back in 2016.
The defeat for Watford sees Wolves, who finished seventh in the Premier League, play in the two-legged second round of the Europa League on July 25 and August 1. It’s the first time in 39 years that the club will see European soccer.
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