(CNN) — Manchester United were proclaimed FA Cup champions this Saturday, defying the odds and defeating Manchester City (2-1), the big favorite, and depriving their city rival of a consecutive league and cup double.
A week is a long time in football. On Sunday, Manchester City sealed a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title and set to put the icing on the cake to a brilliant season with another trophy at Wembley.
Before the match, the result seemed inevitable: United had lost six of their last seven games against City and four of their last five finals, while City were enjoying another dominant season.
But United scored two goals in a row in the first half – the first from Alejandro Garnacho, the second from Kobbie Mainoo – to unnerve the Premier League champions and make the final the first men’s FA Cup final with two teenage scorers .
City continued to press in the second half, creating several chances that only the brilliant performance of goalkeeper André Onana or the woodwork could prevent, before Jeremy Doku scored in the 87th minute, reducing United’s lead and giving way to seven frenetic minutes of added time.
But United clung to their hard-fought lead and their bench poured onto the pitch after the final whistle to celebrate winning a trophy after an often dismal season for the historic club.
