The measure of Manchester City’s class is that they have a chance of claiming the FA Cup in Saturday’s Wembley showpiece despite a troubled campaign featuring serial injury, an insipid title defence, Champions League playoff-stage elimination by Real Madrid and the mid-season departure of the captain, Kyle Walker, on loan.
Oliver Glasner’s in-form Crystal Palace, who have lost two of their past 14 games, are in their way but Pep Guardiola’s garlanded team are favourites; the wounded, deposed champions intent on not ending a season empty-handed for the first time since his opening 2016-17 term.
