MANCHESTER CITY vs WATFORD – FA CUP FINAL
- Watford are on a 10-match losing streak against Manchester City in all competitions
- Manchester City are aiming to become the first team to win the domestic treble in England
- Sergio Aguero has scored 10 goals in just seven appearances against Watford in all competitions
- Watford’s only previous FA Cup final appearance came in 1984, when they lost 2-0 to Everton
Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Silva, Mahrez, Bernardo, Sterling, Jesus
Watford XI: Gomes, Femenia, Cathcart, Mariappa, Holebas, Capoue, Doucoure, Hughes, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney
Top gesture
16:25: Manchester City’s players have been praised for a “fantastic gesture” after paying for more than 50 coaches for fans to travel to the FA Cup final.
Each coach contained the name of the player who paid for it, as well as a signed picture of them left on each seat.
The gesture meant lucky supporters who got a spot had to pay just 1p to get to the game with Watford at Wembley.
Almost certain to be someone complaining about having to pay a penny for the journey…
Man City vs Watford LIVE: FA Cup final latest score, goals and updates from Wembley (Image: GETTY)
Cajones vs Cajones…
16:20: It’s the battle we’ve been waiting for Kompany vs Deeney at Wembley. That’s PPV worthy in my opinion.
“I really enjoy facing this dying breed of striker and he has every little bit of my respect,” Kompany said in the match programme.
“I look forward to these kind of games where something people focus too much on names, but ultimately when you’re on the pitch you know which ones are up for the battle and he is one of those players.”
I imagine Troy will be thrilled to be described as a dying breed of striker…
Man City vs Watford LIVE: FA Cup final latest score, goals and updates from Wembley (Image: GETTY)
Team News
16:15: Gabriel Jesus gets the nod ahead of Sergio Aguero.
Pep Guardiola’s only change to the side that beat Brighton to wrap up the Premier League title means Kevin De Bruyne again has to settle for a spot on the bench, while Fernandinho fails to recover from injury.
Heurelho Gomes started in goal for Watford as Javi Gracia made two alterations, with Adrian Mariappa replacing Christian Kabasele in defence.
Man City vs Watford LIVE: FA Cup final latest score, goals and updates from Wembley (Image: GETTY)
Twitter round-up
Andy: Wow, shocked that Sergio Aguero is on the bench and still no Leroy Sane but at the end of the day – never doubt Pep Guardiola!
Ronan: Pep Guardiola the wind up merchant not starting Sergio Aguero! That sound is the sound of many betting slips being ripped up!
Paul: Hope footballing gods are shining down on Watford this afternoon… always cheer an underdog… especially against Manchester City.
Elton’s with you!
16:05: Elton John’s official Instagram account shared an image of the singer and former Watford chairman backstage in Copenhagen with his entire team dressed in Hornets colours.
He posted: “@watfordofficial, Team Elton are cheering you on from backstage in Copenhagen for your FA Cup Final game today! ??? GO HORNETS!!”
Man City vs Watford LIVE: FA Cup final latest score, goals and updates from Wembley (Image: TWITTER)
The starting XI…
16:00: And here are the line-ups! Sergio Aguero… benched for Manchester City! And there’s a start for Riyad Mahrez too!
Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Silva, Mahrez, Bernardo, Sterling, Jesus.
Subs: Muric, Danilo, Stones, Aguero, De Bruyne, Sane, Otamendi.
Watford XI: Gomes, Femenia, Cathcart, Mariappa, Holebas, Capoue, Doucoure, Hughes, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney.
ubs: Foster, Janmaat, Cleverley, Success, Masina, Gray, Kabasele.
Man City vs Watford LIVE: FA Cup final latest score, goals and updates from Wembley (Image: REUTERS)
Deeney dials
15:56: I’ll be shocked if ‘Deeney Dials’ isn’t an ITV show in the next six weeks.
Troy Deeney is stood alone in the centre-circle at Wembley making a phone call. Bet he’s forgotten to press record on his television…
Coverage…
15:53: Well fair play to the BBC for their FA Cup coverage today. They kicked things off at 1pm today – yes – so just the four hours build-up!
I’m reliably informed that a YouTuber, don’t ask me who, guided us through every single round for an entire hour… which was fun I suppose.
Man City vs Watford LIVE: FA Cup final latest score, goals and updates from Wembley (Image: PA)
Unprecedented…
15:50: No men’s side to finish in the bottom half of the top-flight table has ever beaten the side to finish top in an FA Cup final – the previous lowest was in 1957, when 10th placed Aston Villa beat champions Manchester United.
Treble up
15:48: The battle for the Premier League title proved to be the most exciting in years, as City held off the challenge of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to defend their crown following victory at Brighton on Sunday.
With the two other domestic trophies already in the bag, Pep Guardiola’s men are on the verge of an impressive clean sweep – which might just help ease the pain of their Champions League shortcomings.
However, as the history of the famous old knockout competition shows, take nothing for granted on FA Cup final day.
Man City vs Watford LIVE: FA Cup final latest score, goals and updates from Wembley (Image: PA)
Afternoon
15:45: Hello everyone and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the FA Cup final.
Looks like we’ve got ourselves a classic case of David vs Goliath this afternoon as Manchester City and Watford fight it out at Wembley.
Pep Guardiola’s side will be out to secure a clean sweep of all three domestic trophies as Javi Gracia’s well-drilled team end their 35-year wait for a second FA Cup final.
City are heavy favourites with the bookmakers at 2/11 – but something tells me Troy Deeney and Co are going to make this a difficult afternoon for the Premier League champions.
Standby for team news, updates and cliches galore about the magic of the FA Cup…
Man City vs Watford LIVE: FA Cup final latest score, goals and updates from Wembley (Image: GETTY)
MANCHESTER CITY vs WATFORD – TEAM NEWS
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho is hoping to prove his fitness to face Watford in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
The Brazilian, who missed the final three games of the champions’ Premier League title run-in with a knee injury, returned to training this week.
Kevin De Bruyne could also feature after returning from a hamstring problem as a substitute at Brighton last week but left-back Benjamin Mendy has been ruled out through injury.
Watford will have Jose Holebas available.
The defender looked like missing out through suspension after he was sent off in the final Premier League game of the season against West Ham, but the Football Association rescinded his red card.
Boss Javi Gracia has a decision to make in goal between Ben Foster and Heurelho Gomes, who has played every round of the competition so far.