Appropriating the scoring talent of Erling Haaland, without a goal on this occasion, the Algerian Riyad Mahrez accelerated Manchester City to return him to a final of the FA Cup (England Cup) that he will play on June 3 against the winner of the other duel at Wembley , the one that Manchester United and Brighton will play this Sunday (5:30 p.m.).
He carried out, with authority and solvency and without excessive spending, his fifth semifinal in a row for City to return to the last game for the title four seasons later. He last played for Pep Guardiola's team in 2019, when he won his sixth trophy after beating Watford.
The week could not have been more rounded for Pep Guardiola's team, reinforced with their qualification for the Champions League semifinal last Wednesday by eliminating Bayern Munich and getting closer and closer to the leadership of the Premier. Without playing the day, the top of the League is within reach because Arsenal could not beat Southampton on Friday. With two games less than the Gunners, the distance is only four points.
Manchester City, which has already accumulated sixteen games without losing, is aiming for the treble. It was far superior to Sheffield United, a team from the Championship, second division, although next season it will be Premier. You are one step away from achieving your goal.
The resistance of the blades gradually decayed. He had a fiery, hopeful start, with a clear chance, after two minutes from Iliman Ndiaye who shot badly, with everything to score a goal, to the body of goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, starter in the Cup to the detriment of Ederson, on the bench along with other regulars such as the Belgian Kevin De Bruyne or the Spanish Rodri.
It was not necessary. Such was the superiority of the citizen that the last half hour was able to protect players, such as Jack Grealish or Erling Haaland or Ilkay Gundogan. It was enough with the inspiration of Mahrez, that he signed a triplet.
The Algerian was the most active. He was already able to open the scoring after twenty minutes although his attempt went wide. The game broke up on the brink of rest. In an unnecessary entry into the area from Daniel Jebbison to Bernardo Silva that was a clear penalty that Mahrez converted.
The goal crumbled Sheffield until that moment ordered and with clear ideas. The goal killed him. He had no answer and conceded the second at the hour of play in an individual action by the Algerian. Mahrez stole the ball from Bosnian Anel Ahmedhodzic in midfield and launched a run towards the rival goal. He got around John Egan and Jack Robinson, soft on their mission, and beat Wes Foderingham with no problem.
Five later he made the third, the sentence. When he got first he brought a pass from the left from Jack Grealish into the net.
The clash was defined. Both technicians accepted it. The less common entered. The game opened, with no consequences for the score, with City's objective achieved and Sheffield focused on their particular mission, promotion to the Premier that can close in the coming days.
3 - Manchester City: Stefan Ortega; Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Gomez; Ilkay Gundogan (Calvin Phillips, m.75), Bernardo Silva (Rico Lewis, m.82); Riyad Mahrez, Julián Álvarez, Jack Grealish (Cole Palmer, m.68); and Erling Haaland (Phil Foden, m.68).
0 - Sheffield United: Wes Foderingham; Anel Ahmedhodzic (Ismaila Coulibaly, m.76), John Egan, Jack Robinson; George Baldock (Jaydan Bogle, m.76), Sander Berge (Chris Basham, m.75), Oliver Norwood, John Fleck (Billy Sharp, m.68), Max Lowe; Daniel Jebbison (Oliver McBurnie, m.58) e Illiman Ndiaye.
Goles: 1-0, art.42: Riyad Mahrez, also penalty. 2-0, art.61: Riyad Mahrez; 3-0, art.66: Riyad Mahrez.
Referee: Stuart Attwell. He showed a yellow card to Oliver Norwood of Sheffield United.
Incidents: FA Cup semifinal played at Wembley Stadium in London before 69,603 spectators.
