Manchester City completed the first ever domestic treble in English football in emphatic fashion by dispatching Watford 6-0 at Wembley to claim the FA Cup on Saturday.
City also became the first team since 1903 to score six in the cup final and the first team to win the Premier League, League Cup and FA Cup trophies all in one season.
It was City’s sixth FA Cup triumph and their first under manager Pep Guardiola, who has now won six trophies since taking over the club in 2016.
First half goals from David Silva and Raheem Sterling — although there was some debate as to whether Sterling got the final touch — gave City a deserved lead at the break, though it wasn’t all plain sailing.
It could have been very different for the Hornets had Roberto Pereyra not missed the first big chance of the game after Watford pounced on one slack pass by Oleksandr Zinchenko to spring a counter-attack.
Gerard Deulofeu fed the Argentine, but City goalkeeper Ederson raced from his goal to make a fine save with his trailing leg.
It proved to be the wake-up call City needed and it didn’t once look like relinquishing the lead after Silva opened the scoring just a few minutes later.
Ultimately though, as soon as City scored their first goal, Watford didn’t get another look in.
City control then turned into total dominance as a gloriously crafted second gave Watford a mountain to climb.
Bernardo Silva’s curling cross picked out Jesus at the back post and the Brazilian’s effort was heading in before Sterling snatched his 24th goal of the season by smashing the ball over the line.
Veteran goalkeeper Gomes was making what is expected to be his final game before he plans to become a pastor in retirement.
City’s strength in depth was in evidence as Guardiola could afford the luxury of leaving Sergio Aguero on the bench for Jesus, as a reward for the Brazilian who started every FA Cup game this season, and introduce De Bruyne 10 minutes into the second half.
Kevin De Bruyne ended the final as a contest on the hour mark, receiving the ball from Jesus before showing remarkable composure to round Heurelho Gomes and slot into an empty net.
The roles were reversed for City to rub more salt into Watford wounds 22 minutes from time when De Bruyne’s pass released Jesus in behind to get the goal his performance deserved.
Only twice in FA Cup final history has a team scored more than four goals. Bury in 1903 and Blackburn in 1890.
It would soon equal Bury’s all-time record for biggest FA Cup final victory, as Sterling scored two quickfire goals inside the last 10 minutes to make it 6-0.
Sterling became the first player since 1953 to score a FA Cup final hat-trick.
Though it was a painful day for everyone involved at Watford, its fans never stopped supporting their team. They can really be proud of their achievements.
Just four years ago Watford were playing the likes of Blackpool, Ipswich and Rotherham in the Championship. There have been nine managerial appointments in the past seven years. But, in Javi Gracia, they have finally found some stability this season.
They have made it to an FA Cup final and in finishing 9th place in the Premier League, they have recorded their highest points tally ever – 50 points. Watford will be hoping they can keep hold of Gracia, and some of their best players, as they attempt to build on one of their best season’s ever next year.