Riyad Mahrez scored a stunning hat-trick to lead Manchester City to a 3-0 win against Sheffield United and confirm their return to Wembley for the FA Cup final.
Sheffield United should have taken the lead in the first few minutes after a fantastic chance went to Iliman Ndiaye, who failed to past City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Chances were few and far between as City dominated possession but failed to make any breakthrough against a tough Sheffield defense.
However, just before halftime, Bernardo Silva was taken down in the box, and Mahrez stepped up to put Pep Guardiola’s men ahead.
Sheffield United were masters of their own doom shortly after the break, when their defense parted like the Red Sea, allowing Mahrez to glide through and double his tally for the day.
The Algerian wasn’t done yet, and after the Sheffield United defense again allowed him the freedom of Wembley, he stroked in his third to become the first player since 1958 to score an FA Cup semi-final hat-trick.
With the game finally put the bed, City manager Pep Guardiola was able to rest most of his star players ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Premier League title clash against Arsenal, which could see them close the gap behind the Gunners to two points and inch closer to finally emulating their neighbours Manchester United’s illustrious treble 24 years ago.
