‘Incredible’ Man City thrash Watford 6-0 to complete domestic treble
Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick, while David Silva, Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus also netted to cap a glorious campaign with the biggest margin of victory in a FA Cup final since 1903.
Watford’s wait to win their first ever major piece of silverware goes on, but after going behind they had little answer to Pep Guardiola’s relentless champions as the Catalan picked up the 27th trophy of his coaching career.
“It was an incredible final for us and we have finished an incredible year,” said Guardiola after adding the FA Cup to City’s Premier League and League Cup titles.
“To all the people at the club a big congratulations, especially the players because they are the reason why we have won these titles.”
It could have been very different for the Hornets had Roberto Pereyra not missed the first big chance of the game after Watford pounced on one slack pass by Oleksandr Zinchenko to spring a counter-attack.
Gerard Deulofeu fed the Argentine, but City goalkeeper Ederson raced from his goal to make a fine save with his trailing leg.
“In the final these kind of things make the difference,” added Guardiola.
“Ederson saved us at a key point at the beginning of the game, because 1-0 would have been really difficult for us.”
Watford were also left angered as a handball shout for a penalty against Vincent Kompany was not looked upon favourably by referee Kevin Friend or the Video Assistant Referee.
And Javi Gracia’s men also played a big part in their own downfall for City’s first goal on 26 minutes from which Guardiola’s men never looked back.
The diminutive figures of David Silva and Sterling both won headers against taller defenders before the ball broke for the Spaniard to fire across Heurelho Gomes.
City control then turned into total dominance as a gloriously crafted second gave Watford a mountain to climb.
– First final hat-trick since 1953 –
Bernardo Silva’s curling cross picked out Jesus at the back post and the Brazilian’s effort was heading in before Sterling snatched his 24th goal of the season by smashing the ball over the line.
Veteran goalkeeper Gomes was making what is expected to be his final game before he plans to become a pastor in retirement.