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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Victor Lindelof hit in face by missile as Man Utd celebrate FA Cup final equaliser

Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof was hit by an object thrown from the crowd while celebrating his side's equaliser in the FA Cup final.

Ilkay Gundogan put Manchester City ahead after just 13 seconds with a stunning volley, the fastest ever FA Cup final goal. However, United found a way back into the match when Jack Grealish was penalised for a handball in the penalty box, with referee Paul Tierney awarding a spot kick after being told to check the incident by VAR.

Bruno Fernandes ultimately scored the penalty, sending City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega the wrong way. And as United celebrated the goal, a missile was thrown from the crowd which hit Lindelof in the face.

The centre-back immediately went down clutching his face, while replays showed a green object struck thrown from the crowd struck him. As Lindelof was checked on by his teammates, both Fernandes and Casemiro could be seen furiously shouting at somebody who was not on camera.

Speaking on commentary for the BBC, former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas said of the incident: "Something's been thrown and it's hit Lindelof, you don't want to see that. We've got a brilliant game on our hands here, it's the last thing you want to see."

Former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel added: "That is so wrong. That's bad. I'm not blaming Manchester City - it is somebody - but we are at the Manchester City end, they were celebrating in front of the Manchester City supporters, and they should be big enough, they're winning enough, to understand it's okay to go 1-1.

A green object struck Lindelof in the face (BBC)

"They shouldn't react like that. That is terrible, it should have consequences. I hope they find the guy, whoever did that." The incident marred what was an entertaining final, with City ultimately triumphing 2-1 after Gundogan scored the winner.

Reflecting on City's victory, Grealish told the BBC: "It's just stuff that you dream of when you're a little kid. I lost one when I was at Aston Villa and I was desperate to win one. I obviously gave away the penalty. I know you're probably going to get onto it but I genuinely don't know how it's a penalty.

"I'm not even looking. I've missed the ball with my head, he's headed it and I'm not even looking at the ball. I'm trying to block a cross, but anyway, Gundo saved me!"

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