Riyad Mahrez struck the first FA Cup semi-final hat-trick since 1958 and featured a supreme solo second strike that took him slaloming through the middle and gave Wes Foderingham no chance.
This was just after the hour. The Algerian’s third followed five minutes later: a first-time shot from Jack Grealish’s low ball that again removed Sheffield United’s keeper from the equation, and sealed Manchester City’s berth in the final.
Pep Guardiola had complained that his side did not make enough passes as a way of avoiding exhaustion in Wednesday’s Champions League draw at Bayern Munich. He was content, then, that City did precisely this here ahead of this week’s title showdown with Arsenal.
Despite his denial that City are “far away”, the manager will be privately eyeing leading them to the treble. They are 90 minutes away from achieving a third of the feat and as the showpiece is on 3 June can now concentrate on the Premier League and Europe following a victory that was smartly executed.
City, via the bulldozing Erling Haaland, and Sheffield United with their direct style, could each be a bruising proposition. The Norwegian half-charged down a Jack Robinson clearance and his side escaped. Then, the Blades claimed a corner, Oliver Norwood dropped this out of the sky onto John Egan’s head and Iliman Ndiaye, from close range, saw Stefan Ortega palm away.
This all occurred 88 seconds after kick-off. Soon City settled into their recognisable style, blue shirts in ever-shifting patterns around the area, as Ilkay Gündogan, Grealish and Sergio Gómez traded passes and the latter’s cross claimed a corner. Mahrez’s delivery was dealt with, as was Julián Álvarez’s burst and a Kyle Walker chip over, in what was a constant Wembley wall of sound.
City were warming up. Álvarez’s next contribution was a dipping shot Foderingham tipped away, United’s energy already sapped by having to play chase-ball. With City, the opener often presages further strikes, meaning Foderingham’s stop of Norwood’s inadvertent stab at his own goal was vital.
United were a frustrating foe so Haaland tried a different ploy, dropping deep and collecting, laying off, and driving beyond the banks of red and white shirts, but the return never arrived. Álvarez was stymied, too, when he hoped to wriggle beyond a clutch of defenders in their area and they won possession and cleared.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side were executing his gameplan expertly, hoping for a chance to launch a hit-and-run raid that would nick a goal they could protect. But opportunity had hardly knocked since a Sander Berge dash down the right was followed by a cross no teammate met, and as the interval neared City struck.
Bernardo Silva initially miskicked a volley as the ball dropped on to a boot but as he moved to retrieve it Daniel Jebbison scythed him down and Stuart Attwell awarded a penalty in a simple decision for the referee.
Haaland, City’s 48-goal man did not take it, instead Mahrez, the regular taker did, and he swept the spot-kick into Foderingham’s left: with two minutes left of the half this was perfect timing for the champions and awful for their opponent.
If there was a lack of sparkle about the contest, City had been efficient, precisely what Guardiola desired on a day he rested five players almost certain to start against Arsenal - Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Rodri, Ederson and Rúben Dias.
In Álvarez, Gómes and Aymeric Laporte he had three lesser-used outfield players who added a freshness the manager identified on Friday was needed. Yet while trailing by only one United retained hope so City had to be careful to maintain control. Haaland, following in a Gómez attempt that skidded off the turf, went close to nabbing a second.
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And when Heckingbottom’s men broke along the left and Manuel Akanji screamed at Ortega to come and collect the ball and did not, this was precisely where the danger might be for City.
Before 60 minutes was up United’s manager brought on Oli McBurnie for Jebbison, Heckingbottom having been reluctant to start his regular No 9 due to the chase for automatic promotion from the Championship. Now, though, Mahrez took over with his second and third strikes to cause Guardiola to later praise his joyous “amateur spirit”.
By the closing 15 minutes Gündogan, Grealish and Haaland had all been removed, Guardiola protecting another trio who should be in Wednesday’s XI, with one more, in Silva, joining them soon after.
Whoever wins the second semi-final between Manchester United and Brighton will start definite underdogs to this ruthless City machine.
