)
Riyad Mahrez scored a spectacular hat-trick to lead Manchester City to a 3-0 win against Sheffield United and confirm their return to Wembley for the FA Cup final.
Manchester City continued their treble chase as they swept Sheffield United aside to the tune of three unanswered goals, courtesy of a Riyad Mahrez hattrick.
How it happened
Sheffield United should have taken the lead in the opening minutes after a glorious chance fell to Iliman Ndiaye who failed to beat Stefan Ortega in the City goal.
Chances were few and far between as City dominated possession but failed to make any inroads while Sheffield defended resolutely.
However, just before the break, Bernardo Silva was brought down in the box and Mahrez stepped up to open the scoring for Pep Guardiola's men.
Second half action - Mahrez completes super performance
Sheffield United continued to be the masters of their own downfall shortly after the break when their defence parted like the red sea to allow Mahrez to saunter through and double his tally for the day.
The Algerian wasn’t finished there though, and after again being afforded the freedom of Wembley by the Sheffield United defence, he stroked home his third to become the first player to score an FA Cup semi-final hat-trick since 1958.
Subsequently, City boss Pep Guardiola was able to withdraw most of his big-hitters before Wednesday’s crunch Premier League title clash against Arsenal, which could see them close the gap behind the Gunners to two points, and inch closer towards finally emulating the illustrious treble their neighbours Manchester United achieved 24 years ago.
Related content
)
13:20 - 22.04.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE ‘It’s time to stick together’ – Jesus urges after another Arsenal draw
The forward wants his teammates to stick together as they chase the Premier League title.
)
12:50 - 22.04.2023
Guardiola calls on Man City players to 'think positively' ahead of FA Cup semi-final
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has urged his players to focus their minds on the task at hand in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Sheffield United.
)
12:06 - 22.04.2023
Arsenal forward says Manchester City game is a must win
Arsenal's chance of winning the Premier League was left hanging by Southampton after playing a 3-3 draw at the Emirate Stadium on Friday night.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)