Manchester City 1 – 0 Manchester United (FA Cup semi-final)

Manchester United's treble hopes have coming crashing down into a sea of deafening blue and white as fierce rivals Manchester City claimed all bragging rights in the FA Cup Manchester derby. Despite a very even first half by the crosstown rivals, most of the chances fell to the red half of Manchester as United's Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov saw both his second half chances come agonizingly close to opening the scoring. A stern goalkeeping display by City's Joe Hart made sure than no United attack would succeed.

City came out firing in the second half and their attacking prowess paid off as Yaya Toure managed to disposses Michael Carrack in the 52nd minute and slot home the only goal of the game coolly around Van de Sar. United were faced with a mountain of a task when Paul Scholes was shown his marching orders on the 72nd minute for his very poor tackle on Zabaleta.


The final whistle blew and scenes of jubilation reigned throughout the blue half of Wembely Stadium as Manchester City had finally put one over their rivals where it truly mattered, denying the Red Devils a place in the FA Cup Final. For once the once loud roars coming from the Red half of the city were now silent with their heads down as their traditional rivals had denied them the chance of a treble for this season.

Manchester City will now face the winner between Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City in the FA Cup Final.

Watch the defining goal that ended Manchester United's treble hopes here:



By Marcel Abboud