MATCH REPORT AND PLAYER RATINGS - MANCHESTER CITY 1-2 MANCHESTER UNITED

Image courtesy of mancitynews.co.uk

Manchester City's excellent season finished in disappointing fashion with a defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup final, after a dismal first half showing from the Blues coincided with a magnificent overall performance from United.

Erik Ten Hag's side were the much better team in the first half, as they defended brilliantly and looked a threat with long balls over the top of City's defence.

They took the lead as a horrendous mix up between Josko Gvardiol and Stefan Ortega-Moreno gave Alejandro Garnacho a tap in inside the six yard box following a pinged ball over the top from Diogo Dalot.

City's woes increased, as a well worked move from United was finished off by Kobbie Mainoo inside the penalty area, after another long ball left City's defence exposed and outnumbered.

City had a big job to turn the game around, and they responded with two half time substitutions, as Jeremy Doku and Manuel Akanji came on for Mateo Kovacic and Nathan Ake to attempt to change the game in City's favour.

Doku made a positive impact on the left hand side, driving at Aaron Wan-Bissaka and creating chances for his teammates.

Julian Alvarez also came on to make an impact, but he was less proficient due to his inaccuracy in front of goal, as he squandered a huge one on one opportunity after a slick through pass from Etihad Player of the Season Phil Foden.

Eventually, City broke through thanks to a low drive from the edge of the box from Doku, which crept in past Andre Onana at the near post, but it was too little too late for the Blues, as United edged the win over the line for the second trophy in two seasons under Erik Ten Hag.

It was a disappointing result and performance, but did nothing to cast a shadow over City's otherwise excellent season, in which thy were firmly in the title race all throughout the season, before sticking their noses in front and holding on until the end of the season.

Every City player contributed to their success this season, and after a jubilant trophy parade, it wouldn't appear that loss is affecting the players too much, and will in fact make them more hungry to go again next year.

Here are the player ratings from the defeat at Wembley: Ortega-Moreno - 6/10

Walker - 6.5/10

Stones - 6/10

Ake - 6.5/10

Gvardiol - 6/10

Rodri - 6.5/10

Kovacic - 6.5/10

Bernardo - 6/10

De Bruyne - 6/10

Foden - 6.5/10

Haaland - 6/10

Substitutes:

Akanji - 6.5/10

Doku - 7.5/10

Alvarez - 6/10