Manchester City beat the Blades 3-0 on Saturday as Riyad Mahrez scored the first hat-trick in an FA Cup Semi-final since 1958.
Although a tough defeat, The Blades fought bravely with a missed shot early in the game by Iliman Ndiaye off a corner which was saved by Stefan Ortega.
However, once Mahrez scored his first goal from the spot two minutes before half-time, the difference of quality in the two teams quickly became clear.
Paul Heckingbottom, manager of Sheffield United after the match said: “We started the game very well and had the two best moments early on.
“We knew those moments would be few and far between and we know we would have to play with a lot of discipline with suffering moments without the ball but the frustration is we gave City the first few goals and then it’s a mountain to climb.”
The second goal came after Daniel Jebbison fouled Bernardo Silva with the Algerian taking full use of a wide-open Sheffield United defence to score just after the hour.
Mahrez achieved the third and final goal just after 66 minutes, securing the first FA Cup hat-trick since Alex Dawsdon did for Manchester United in 1958 when Jack Grealish crossed past United’s Wes Foderingham allowing Mahrez to strike it past The Blades’ defence and goalkeeper, Adam Davies.
In the post-match conference, Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, said: “It’s really good to be in the final, and I’m so satisfied for Riyad because he loves to play football and he has given many things in these years and hopefully there will be more in the future.”
City will now play rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup Final after the The Red Devils beat Brighton and Hove FC on penalties 6-7 in a tense game.
The winning penalty was scored by Victor Lindelof who put it past Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez putting in the top of the net.
Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, said: “We will do everything to give them the second trophy, everything what I have, everything the team have, everything the staff have, we will give everything to get that done.”
