Manchester City Win 2011 FA Cup Final; Beat Stoke City 1-0

Anyway, as I mentioned, it’s a win that was thoroughly earned by City, and they’ll be thrilled that they get to tear down the banner Manchester United have been sporting at the Stretford End of Old Trafford that celebrates their ‘“noisy neighbours’” lack of silverware. For Stoke, a place in the Europa League is the consolation prize, which isn’t so bad, and they will at least be able to walk off the pitch with their heads held high, knowing that they gave their far higher paid opponents quite a fight.

Stoke, understandably, aren’t thoroughly pleased with having conceded, and they don’t look like getting one back here. Rough on Tony Pulis’ team.

The half ended after two minutes of injury time that was mostly taken up by an apparently serious ankle injury to Stoke winger Jermaine Pennant suffered during an attempted tackle of Silva. After some treatment, he’s able to limp off the field, but it’s unclear whether he’ll be out for the second half. Anyway, 0-0 at the interval. Shocker.

So far City have most of the possession, as you’d expect, but they’re not getting much joy driving through the Stoke centre. Nigel de Jong is proving a major barrier to Stoke’s attacking hopes, as well, destroying the likes of Jermaine Pennant and Jonathan Walters as they try to get through the middle. From the looks of things so far, expect Stoke to play mostly on the counterattack.

*Said with much love for Rory Delap.

Saturday May 14th, 3:00 PM GMT (10:00 AM EST)

More closely matched than one might think based on league position. However, closely matched doesn’t necessarily mean entertaining, and this has ‘brutal 1-0 win’ all over it. In games like that it’s certainly not impossible for the underdog to nick a point, but it’s mostly going to be a matter of luck. The edge has to go to City, however - they have options and weapons that Tony Pulis could only dream of.