Saturday April 16, 2011 Semifinal Finished Wembley

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  1. City beat United to reach FA Cup final

    City beat United to reach FA Cup final

    Manchester City claimed a famous 1-0 victory over their 10-man rivals United to clinch their place in the FA Cup final at Wembley. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Manchester City
    • Manchester United
    • 90+5' The full-time whistle goes at Wembley, and Manchester City claim a famous 1-0 victory over rivals United to clinch a place in the FA Cup final! Yaya Toure's 52nd minute goal separates the sides, and City will face either Bolton or Stoke in the competition's showpiece! Thanks for joining us.
    • 90+4' Vidic is playing centre forward by the looks of it as Hart flies out to gather a loose ball and alleviate yet more pressure from United!
    • 90+3' Mancini is incredibly animated on the touchline as he urges his side to concentrate, while Wright-Phillips surges down the right.
    • 90+2' Barry and Zabaleta make critical interventions as United attack in waves, and City are hanging on!
    • 90+1' United break through Evra down the left, but City again manage to extinguish the attack.
    • 90' City launch a late break as Barry and Balotelli counter to no avail, and five minutes will be added at the end of this second half!
    • 89' United keep possession comfortably in the City half, but their rivals are simply soaking up the pressure.
    • 88' Vieira immediately challenges Anderson with a crunching tackle, and City are defending very deep.
    • 87' David Silva is replaced by Patrick Vieira as Mancini looks to shore up his midfield.
    • 86' Fabio is ruled offside as he strays beyond Zabaleta, and already he is playing in a very forward role.
    • 85' Fabio comes on to replace O'Shea, and Ferguson makes another change in a bid to change the match.
    • 84' Ferdinand brings the ball forward for United, before Park is tripped by Barry, who is promptly booked.
    • 83' Evra hurtles down the left at pace, but again the inspired Kompany is on hand to clear the danger.
    • 82' Anderson and Carrick exchange passes in midfield, and the pair look to inject some creativity into proceedings for United.
    • 81' Silva keeps the ball for City as he looks to while away a few minutes with a bright run down the left.
    • 80' Zabaleta battles superbly with Park to claim the ball back for City, who are defending defiantly.
    • 79' Fabio is warming up vigorously and looks set to come on for United imminently.
    • 78' Shaun Wright-Phillips comes on to replace Adam Johnson, and the City fans are in full voice as their side look to protect their slender lead.
    • 77' Kompany does brilliantly to frantically back-pedal and head clear under immense pressure from Hernandez.
    • 76' City stroke the ball around patiently in the United half, and this is very composed play.
    • 75' De Jong is booked for his customary hack on Anderson, and that's his greeting to the game!
    • 74' Anderson comes on to replace the off-colour Berbatov, and that is an interesting change from Ferguson.
    • 73' Scholes is crest-fallen as he trudges despondently down the tunnel, and United's challenge is made all the more difficult.
    • 72' SCHOLES IS SENT OFF! The midfielder lunges in crudely on Zabaleta, and it was sensationally high! Mike Dean sends him off, and United are down to 10 men.
    • 71' Evra clips a long ball down the line as Hernandez looks to latch on to it, but Zabaleta intervenes.
    • 70' Kolarov is gifted an abundance of time and space by United as he steams down the left once more, only to blast a hugely ambitious shot over the bar!
    • 69' Park is challenged superbly by de Jong, and City bring the ball forward once more through Silva...
    • 68' Balotelli is booked for a clumsy challenge on Scholes, and the Italian has to be very, very careful!
    • 67' What an effort that was from Nani, but the save from Hart was distinguished.
    • 66' Nani hits the bar! The Portugese curls an exquisite free kick over the City wall and Hart does superbly to tip the ball against the crossbar with the ball dropping to safety!
    • 65' Javier Hernandez comes on to replace the ineffectual Valencia, and his entrance is accompanied by a huge roar from the United fans.
    • 64' Park wins a free kick as he is hauled down cynically by Zabaleta, and that was a bad challenge which sees the defender booked.
    • 63' What a chance for Lescott! The defender rises high to meet Silva's cross from the left, but he glances his header agonisingly wide of the far post!
    • 61' City win a corner as Toure again provides the powerful run, and Vidic is forced to intervene.
    • 60' STAT: Man Utd have scored winning goals in the final 15 minutes of four of their last six matches against City in all competitions.
    • 59' Balotelli's hunger cannot be questioned today as he harries the United defenders once more.
    • 58' Kolarov has been superb at the start of this second half, and he surges down the left once more for City.
    • 57' It's all City right now as the Blues keep the ball inside their own half with the fans going absolutely berserk!
    • 56' Kolarov hurls a long throw into the box before Ferdinand and Vidic each block shots on the edge of their area!
    • 55' City pile forward once more as Silva drives down the left but doesn't manage to find Balotelli inside the box.
    • 54' Van der Sar was not exempt from blame there after as it was he who made the first scuffed clearance prior to Carrick's mistake.
    • 53' The atmosphere goes up a few more notches after the goal as the City fans scream jubilantly!
    • 52' GOAL!!!!! TOURE GIVES CITY THE LEAD! Carrick is caught in possession on the edge of the United box, and Toure is left to power into the penalty area and slide a precise finish under the diving van der Sar! What a mistake from the England midfielder.
    • 51' City continue to look the brighter at the start of this second half with United on the back foot.
    • 49' Kolarov makes a sharp run down the left for City, before Ferdinand and van der Sar combine in the nick of time to clear the danger with Balotelli lurking in the six-yard box!
    • 48' Park continues to tear around tirelessly, and the midfielder provides a real spark for his side.
    • 47' A huge jeer goes up as Valencia misses the ball completely out on the right wing, and that's very sloppy.
    • 46' The second half is underway at Wembley, and neither manager deems it necessary to make any changes at the break. When will the Little Pea be introduced?
    • 45+2' The half-time whistle goes at Wembley, and it is goalless between Manchester United and Manchester City. Berbatov squandered two glorious opportunities for United, but both sides have created chances. What is your assessment of the first 45 minutes? Post your views below...
    • 45+1' Carrick twice wins the ball back for United, but both times the move peters out poorly.
    • 45' Two minutes will be added at the end of this first half as United waste the corner courtesy of Nani.
    • 44' Park and Scholes link the play for United from midfield, before Valencia wins a corner with a sharp run down the right.
    • 43' Vincent Kompany of all people looks to curl a fierce shot into the near corner of the net from the edge of the United box, but it drifts agonisingly wide!
    • 42' O'Shea takes a quick free-kick out on the right for United, before Toure breaks for City and has his shot blocked wide by Vidic.
    • 41' Toure is dispossessed by Scholes, who is looking extremely bright today, and it's suddenly very scrappy in midfield.
    • 40' Berbatov mistimes his run as he looks to break clear of Kompany, and the Bulgarian is ruled offside.
    • 39' Valencia surges down the right before floating over a deep cross which is far too strong for Berbatov in the box.
    • 38' Nani is tripped by Barry, and United have some respite in the City half with Scholes over the ball.
    • 37' The second City corner breaks loose for Lescott at the far post, but he can only hammer his shot wide with a scuffed effort.
    • 36' Johnson takes the corner short and very quickly, before Silva jinks inside two challenges and wins another corner.
    • 35' Johnson forces his way down the left wing at pace, and ends up winning a corner for his side at the expense of O'Shea.
    • 34' Just after that is typed, Balotelli unleashes a scorching drive from range which van der Sar tips over the crossbar - a mighty fine effort!
    • 33' Silva and Johnson are finally beginning to get on the ball in earnest for City, who need to get Balotelli involved a lot more from attack too.
    • 32' Barry swivels sharply and fires a fierce shot into the side netting which has van der Sar diving at full stretch and the City fans at the far end of the ground celebrating a goal!
    • 31' STAT: Balotelli has scored a goal every 141 minutes for Manchester City this season; a quicker rate than Tevez (145 mins).
    • 30' Nani ends up taking the set piece, and his effort is deflected behind for a corner by Toure in the City wall. Berbatov heads over the bar from the resulting set piece.
    • 29' Barry brings down Carrick with a very late lunge, but it was not remotely malicious and United content themselves with having the free-kick which Scholes stands over...
    • 28' Mancini leaps up in very animated fashion to berate Kolarov and his back four for not stepping up quick enough for his liking.
    • 27' De Jong is roundly jeered by the United fans as he attempts a through ball to Balotelli which evades the Italian.
    • 26' United enjoy more possession at the back as City sit very deep inside their own half and opt not to press their rivals up the field.
    • 25' Vidic rises high to meet the subsequent corner from Nani, but he can only head wide - that was a real chance!
    • 24' Kolarov adopts a safety-first approach as he turns the ball behind for a corner under pressure from Carrick and Park.
    • 23' STAT: Man City have only won two of their last seven FA Cup matches against top flight opponents.
    • 22' Park is typically tireless as he harries the City midfielders with incessant pressure.
    • 21' Evra storms down the left for United, but he ends up tripping Toure and conceding a free kick after losing the ball.
    • 20' Nani is enjoying a lot of the ball out on the United left, and he is giving Zabaleta real problems.
    • 19' United stroke the ball around at the back patiently once more, then Evra hurtles down the left at pace and wins an attacking throw in...
    • 18' STAT: This is United’s 10th FA Cup semi-final under Sir Alex Ferguson and their only defeat came in 2009 on penalties against Everton.
    • 17' Rooney and the entire United bench were out of their seats, almost celebrating prematurely as Berbatov sliced that shot over the bar!
    • 16' Phew, the game comes alive with those two clear-cut chances, the second of which really was a howler of a miss from Berbatov!
    • 15' TWO GILT EDGE CHANCES FOR UNITED! First Hart makes a stunning save at the feet of Berbatov to thwart the 22-goal Bulgarian, before the forward scoops a close-range shot over the bar from just five yards out with the goal gaping at his mercy!
    • 14' United are enjoying the bulk of the possession early on as both sides battle hard for the ball.
    • 13' Hart is commanding as he races out of his goal to punch Nani's corner away amid a crowd of bodies.
    • 12' Ferguson is busy bawling down his microphone to his staff on the touchline as United attack through Nani.
    • 11' Nani goes down clutching his face after a clash with de Jong. There was contact there, but de Jong accidentally booted the Portugese, who was on the floor anyway, in the face.
    • 10' The City fans get stuck into a rendition of Blue Moon which is promptly booed by the United supporters - it's cracking stuff!
    • 9' Incidentally, City's last goal away from Eastlands was David Silva's at Old Trafford in their 2-1 defeat in February.
    • 8' Berbatov misplaces a through ball intended for Nani, and City can build from the back now.
    • 7' Kolarov hauls down Park, but it's a clumsy challenge more than anything and referee Mike Dean keeps his cards in his pocket.
    • 6' Scholes dictates the play superbly for his side from a very deep position in midfield, before Valencia loses the ball out on the right.
    • 5' It's patient possession for United as the back four exchange passes with consummate ease and just Balotelli up front to provide any pressure.
    • 4' Yaya Toure wins a towering header on halfway, before Barry takes the ball down and strings together a few passes in the City midfield.
    • 3' Zabaleta, who makes his first start for five weeks after a trip back to Argentina, sweeps up at the back for City as Nani is again repelled.
    • 2' Kompany does well to retreat at pace and deny Nani an early break down the United right as he finds Hart with an assured backpass.
    • 1' The first half gets underway at Wembley, and Berbatov gets the ball rolling as United enjoy some decent early possession.
    • 17:15 A quite deafening roar greets both sets of players as they emerge from the Wembley tunnel, and there is no let up in the vociferous atmosphere.
    • 17:12 Rio Ferdinand plays despite his wife going into labour - he has had a mad dash to Manchester and back today... and Mrs Ferdinand has given birth to a girl.
    • 17:10 Roberto Mancini says that, for Balotelli, this could be "a big moment to change his season". City fans will be hoping so.
    • 17:10 Fears that fans were not going to be able to get to Wembley appear completely unfounded (surprise, surprise). The stadium is packed for the rafters and bathed in a sea of red and blue. The only empty seats belong to those blighters in Club Wembley.
    • 17:05 Fans of the winning teams this weekend face more expense; the FA announced Cup final ticket prices this week, and no surprises for guessing prices are up. Fans' groups have reacted with predictable - and understandable - dismay. Not that Wembley's going to be half-empty for the final... Cup final ticket price hike
    • 17:05 And we have also spoken to former Everton boss and FA Cup winner Joe Royle this week. He thinks this year's competition is a perfect opportunity for Bolton and Stoke to make history. Joe Royle interview
    • 17:00 Jim White also has United connections, but he is a good deal less optimistic. He is backing City to go all the way. Jim White blog
    • 16:55 Former United defender Paul Parker is in no doubt what will happen today - City will freeze under the spotlight. Paul Parker blog
    • 16:50 United are braced for an emotionally draining trip to London, hot on the heels of their Champions League win against Chelsea. Full story
    • 16:50 Here are highlights of Alex Ferguson's pre-match press conference, as he revels in his lack of injury concerns. Ferguson press conference
    • 16:45 Speaking of travel issues, you have to hope Ian Wagstaff makes it to Wembley tomorrow. He is the Bolton fan who quit his job in Australia to come to the semi-final against Stoke. Man quits job to watch semi-final
    • 16:40 The fans have got to Wembley despite the closure of the M1 between junctions one and four. In truth, that's not the usual route into London from the north-west - had the M40 been out of action things could have been a good deal worse. Still, not ideal. M1 travel chaos
    • 16:35 The big talking point in the team news is that Mario Balotelli has been preferred to Edin Dzeko up front by Roberto Mancini. Might this big occasion be just the thing to get the mercurial Italian firing? David Silva is also back after he sat out the 3-0 reverse at Liverpool on Monday. As for United, Dimitar Berbatov gets the nod ahead of Javier Hernandez.
    • 17:00 Apologies, our teams graphic has not updated - the correct teams are as follows: CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov; De Jong, Barry; A Johnson, Yaya Toure, Silva; Balotelli... Subs: Taylor, Boyata, Vieira, Milner, Wright-Phillips, Dzeko, Jo... UNITED: Van der Sar: O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Park, Nani; Berbatov.... Subs: Owen, Anderson, Smalling, Hernandez, Fabio, Gibson, Kuszczak.
    • 16:30 Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley!

  • Summary

    • 72' SCHOLES IS SENT OFF! The midfielder lunges in crudely on Zabaleta, and it was sensationally high! Mike Dean sends him off, and United are down to 10 men.
    • 66' Nani hits the bar! The Portugese curls an exquisite free kick over the City wall and Hart does superbly to tip the ball against the crossbar with the ball dropping to safety!
    • 63' What a chance for Lescott! The defender rises high to meet Silva's cross from the left, but he glances his header agonisingly wide of the far post!
    • 52' GOAL!!!!! TOURE GIVES CITY THE LEAD! Carrick is caught in possession on the edge of the United box, and Toure is left to power into the penalty area and slide a precise finish under the diving van der Sar! What a mistake from the England midfielder.
    • 49' Kolarov makes a sharp run down the left for City, before Ferdinand and van der Sar combine in the nick of time to clear the danger with Balotelli lurking in the six-yard box!
    • 34' Just after that is typed, Balotelli unleashes a scorching drive from range which van der Sar tips over the crossbar - a mighty fine effort!
    • 32' Barry swivels sharply and fires a fierce shot into the side netting which has van der Sar diving at full stretch and the City fans at the far end of the ground celebrating a goal!
    • 25' Vidic rises high to meet the subsequent corner from Nani, but he can only head wide - that was a real chance!
    • 15' TWO GILT EDGE CHANCES FOR UNITED! First Hart makes a stunning save at the feet of Berbatov to thwart the 22-goal Bulgarian, before the forward scoops a close-range shot over the bar from just five yards out with the goal gaping at his mercy!
    • 17:00 Apologies, our teams graphic has not updated - the correct teams are as follows: CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov; De Jong, Barry; A Johnson, Yaya Toure, Silva; Balotelli... Subs: Taylor, Boyata, Vieira, Milner, Wright-Phillips, Dzeko, Jo... UNITED: Van der Sar: O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Park, Nani; Berbatov.... Subs: Owen, Anderson, Smalling, Hernandez, Fabio, Gibson, Kuszczak.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

    • Starting line-up

      • J. Hart
      • P. Zabaleta Yellow Card
      • V. Kompany Yellow Card
      • J. Lescott
      • A. Kolarov
      • N. de Jong Yellow Card
      • A. Johnson Substitution Out (79′)
      • Y. Touré Goal
      • G. Barry
      • D. Silva Substitution Out (87′)
      • M. Balotelli Yellow Card

      Subs

      • P. Vieira Substitution In87′
      • S. Wright-Phillips Substitution In79′
      • J. Milner
      • E. Dzeko
      • S. Taylor
      • Jô
      • D. Boyata

    • Starting line-up

      • E. van der Sar
      • J. O'Shea Substitution Out (84′)
      • R. Ferdinand
      • N. Vidic
      • P. Evra
      • P. Scholes Red Card
      • J. Park
      • M. Carrick
      • A. Valencia Substitution Out (65′)
      • Nani
      • D. Berbatov Substitution Out (74′)

      Subs

      • M. Owen
      • T. Kuszczak
      • C. Smalling
      • Anderson Substitution In74′
      • D. Gibson
      • Fábio Substitution In84′
      • J. Hernández Substitution In65′

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      Yellow Card - -
      Yellow Card - -
      - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card - -
      Substitution Out79′ - -
      Goal - -
      - -
      Substitution Out87′ - -
      Strikers
      Yellow Card - -
      Subs
      Substitution In87′ - -
      Substitution In79′ - -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      Substitution Out84′ - -
      - -
      - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      Red Card - -
      - -
      - -
      Strikers
      Substitution Out65′ - -
      - -
      Substitution Out74′ - -
      Subs
      Substitution In74′ - -
      Substitution In84′ - -
      Substitution In65′ - -

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