Riyad Mahrez hat-trick sends Man City into FA Cup final

Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick as Manchester City snapped their dropping streak in FA Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 stroll over second-tier Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday.

After exiting on the semi-final stage for the ultimate three seasons, Pep Guardiola’s treble-chasing facet weren’t about to bear the equivalent future and gained with out requiring prime gear.

Championship promotion hopefuls United began brightly and aggravated City for most of the first half nevertheless Mahrez fired City ahead from the penalty spot throughout the forty third minute.

Mahrez then waltzed by way of some flimsy defending to make it 2-0 throughout the 61st minute and achieved his hat-trick 5 minutes later with a scientific finish from Jack Grealish’s low cross.

The Cityzens are Final positive! 🏆@Mahrez22 was the hero of the hour for @ManCity as a result of the forward bagged a hat-trick to ship them into their first #EmiratesFACup Final since 2019 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Do46gI8VdF

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 22, 2023

It was the first FA Cup semi-final hat-trick since Alex Dawson for Manchester United in opposition to Fulham in 1958.

City have not conceded a goal in reaching the FA Cup final for a twelfth time the place they may face Manchester United in what could possibly be the first all-Manchester battle throughout the showpiece.

United are up in opposition to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

With the tie safely throughout the bag, Guardiola substituted Grealish and goal machine Erling Haaland with one eye on Wednesday’s looming Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

City are moreover throughout the semi-finals of the Champions League the place they could face Spanish holders Real Madrid.

It proved a disappointing day for Sheffield United who last gained the FA Cup practically 100 years previously, although the Yorkshire membership’s priority will most likely be sealing promotion once more to the best flight after being relegated in 2021.