Man City vs Sheffield United live score, updates, highlights, lineups & result as Mahrez hat-trick takes City to FA Cup final

By | April 22, 2023
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WEMBLEY STADIUM, LONDON – Riyad Mahrez took his FA Cup tally to nine for the season with a 24-minute hat-trick as Manchester City reached the final and ended Championship side Sheffield United’s run in this season’s competition.

Mahrez converted from the penalty spot three minutes before the break, dribbled into the penalty area before slotting past Wes Foderingham just past the hour mark and swept in a third from Jack Grealish’s cross as City’s class told against stubborn opponents.

Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland was withdrawn after 68 minutes of his side’s comfortable win, which moves City a step closer to a treble of the top-flight title, the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League glory.

Promotion contenders United performed valiantly, going close during the early stages when Iliman Ndiaye forced City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega into an alert save to parry his shot from inside the penalty area away.

City dominated possession and became increasingly dangerous as the first half wore on, Mahrez curling a shot wide from the right before Julian Alvarez drew a fine save from goalkeeper Wes Foderingham in front of the animated United supporters.

The breakthrough arrived when forward Daniel Jebbison clumsily brought down Bernardo Silva after United had partially cleared a corner, allowing Mahrez to begin what would become the first ever hat-trick by a City player at Wembley Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s team set up a decider against Manchester United or Brighton, who face each other in Sunday’s semifinal.

More to follow

The Sporting News followed the match live and provided live score updates and commentary.

MORE: Watch every Premier League match live with fubo in Canada

Man City vs. Sheffield United result

  1H 2H Final
Man City 1 2 3
Sheffield United 0 0 0

Goals:

MCI – Riyad Mahrez, 42 mins
MCI – Riyad Mahrez, 60 mins
MCI – Riyad Mahrez, 66 mins

Man City vs. Sheffield United live updates, highlights from FA Cup

Fulltime: Man City 3-0 Sheffield United

Manchester City are in the FA Cup final!

It was a stellar effort from Sheffield United but City’s class told as Riyad Mahrez became the club’s first player to score a hat-trick at Wembley Stadium.

Manchester United or Brighton & Hove Albion await in the showpiece! Pep Guardiola is applauding the fans as the Championship side also take the plaudits from their fans, who created a wonderful spectacle today.

86 mins: Man City 3-0 Sheffield United

United appeal for a penalty as Chris Basham is challenged inside the penalty area, but the substitute doesn’t appeal for it.

83 mins: Man City 3-0 Sheffield United

City fans want a penalty as Cole Palmer wins a corner inside the penalty area on the left.

Kalvin Phillips and Rico Lewis have replaced Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva.

80 mins: Man City 3-0 Sheffield United

Today’s attendance is just shy of 70,000. That’s a lot of empty seats at the national stadium.

77 mins: Man City 3-0 Sheffield United

City have scored with three of their four shots on target. United have had one. Cityzens boss Pep Guardiola is preparing to bring Rico Lewis on.

74 mins: Man City 3-0 Sheffield United

This has the feel of a non-contest now. It’s been a valiant display from United but they’re entitled to feel a little jaded following that hat-trick goal for Mahrez.

71 mins: Man City 3-0 Sheffield United

City have made two changes: Phil Foden comes on for Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer replaces Jack Grealish.

68 mins: Man City 3-0 Sheffield United

Half a chance for Sheffield United, whose fans respond rapturously.

Oli McBurnie can’t untangle his feet to connect with a cross from the left in front of goal, and the danger dissipates.

66 mins: Man City 3-0 Sheffield United (Riyad Mahrez)

Hat-trick!

Jack Grealish teases two markers on the left near the penalty area, cuts back and feeds Mahrez just inside the box in a central position.

Wes Foderingham gets a touch to Mahrez’s low finish in the middle of his goalmouth but can only divert it inside his left-hand post!

63 mins: Man City 2-0 Sheffield United

60 mins: GOAL – Man City 2-0 Sheffield United (Riyad Mahrez)

Mahrez has his second!

This looks so easy as the City attacker charges into the penalty area through the middle, Jack Robinson backtracking while off balance as part of a parting United defence.

Wes Foderingham advances but has no chance as Mahrez slots his finish past him. You suspect that will be that.

58 mins: Man City 1-0 Sheffield United

Encouraging for United: Sander Berge charges into space near the corner flag on the right and sends in a useful low cross but there’s no-one there and Stefan Ortega comfortably gathers.

Berge hops with annoyance – justifiably, as United have to make the most of the rare opportunities they get.

56 mins: Man City 1-0 Sheffield United

Sheffield United make a change: Oli McBurnie comes on for Daniel Jebbison.

The outgoing forward will be desperately hoping his challenge to concede the penalty does not prove a decisive factor in this game.

54 mins: Man City 1-0 Sheffield United

Sergio Gomez takes aim from outside the penalty area on the left, sending in a low drive that takes a deflection and loops up into the air.

Erling Haaland is arriving at the far post, springing forward but narrowly failing to make contact as the ball goes behind.

54 mins: Man City 1-0 Sheffield United

City concede a freekick from their latest corner. They’ve had 10 to United’s one, as well as 80% of possession.

52 mins: Man City 1-0 Sheffield United

The City fans emanate their approval as United make a mess of clearing their lines and concede a corner on their right.

The Blades clear but City win a corner on the same side a minute later.

49 mins: Man City 1-0 Sheffield United

Erling Haaland breaks through the middle and tries to release a pass on the right. Sheffield United clear behind for a corner on the same side, and Wes Foderingham catches Riyad Mahrez’s delivery.

47 mins: Man City 1-0 Sheffield United

Now Sheffield United return the favour, sending an attempted attack behind for a goal-kick.

46 mins: Man City 1-0 Sheffield United

City restart the action, sending a ball through to Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.

Halftime: Man City 1-0 Sheffield United

City make the breakthrough just before the break in a game they’ve dominated so far, but credit to Sheffield United, who’ve been far more of a threat than some Premier League teams have been when facing Erling Haaland and co this season.

James’ ‘Sit Down’ rings out around Wembley, while the United fans seem a little subdued – as well they might be after seeing their team perform so well but still fall behind. Can they come back in the second half, or will City be more ruthless?

43 mins: Man City 1-0 Sheffield United

City flash a cross from the right across goal but no-one can connect. That would have felt like game over, had they scored twice in quick succession.

42 mins: GOAL – Man City 1-0 Sheffield United (Riyad Mahrez)

City lead! Riyad Mahrez strokes the penalty to Wes Foderingham’s left as the goalkeeper dives the other way.

That’s deserved for City, who’ve bossed possession and looked increasingly dangerous. United will be so frustrated with how softly they conceded that penalty, though.

40 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

City have a freekick near the penalty area on the right. Bernardo Silva whips it in, Sheffield United head clear and Bernardo Silva is brought down by a howler of a tackle from Daniel Jebbison!

That was very much a forward’s challenge. Riyad Mahrez steps up to take what was a stonewall penalty.

38 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Bernardo Silva whips in a harmless cross from the right after another passage of Man City passing in and around United’s box.

Wes Foderingham catches. We’re closing in on a goalless first half. 

36 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Kyle Walker tries to evade Max Lowe on a run down the right, and his marker lofts the ball away.

There’s a sense that Sheffield United are reluctant to be too expansive in their attacking, for fear of leaving potential spaces at the back.

33 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Jack Grealish tries to trouble United inside the penalty area. The attack fizzles out, and the Blades set off on an attack of their own that again comes to nothing.

City make a hash of another attack, the ball arrowing benignly behind.

32 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Manuel Akanji wins a corner inside the penalty area on the right. Erling Haaland can only angle a header backwards from the resulting corner, creating no danger.

31 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Kyle Walker sizes up his options in a dangerous position on the right, opting to smash in a low cross that is deflected behind.

City build again after playing the ball back  from the corner on the right.

28 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

The noise is cacophonous from the Blades fans to our right. Kyle Walker comes forward as part of another Manchester City attack, and the ball dribbles through to Wes Foderingham.

Both managers are on their feet.

27 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Kyle Walker escapes into space down the right, clipping the ball back for Bernardo Silva to fire in a shot that is deflected behind.

City can’t capitalise and United begin to play passes around at the back – as they need to, to relieve some of the pressure.

26 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Olly Norwood heads Riyad Mahrez’s inswinging freekick over the crossbar. United defend the corner with typical stoutness, then win a goal kick thanks to some good defending from Max Lowe.

25 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Bernardo Silva draws a foul from Jack Robinson in a dangerous position just outside the box on City’s right. Riyad Mahrez is over this.

24 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Sheffield United clear City’s corner. Then the Premier League side start to build another attack from the halfway line. They’re increasing the pressure.

23 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Two near-misses in quick succession for City! Riyad Mahrez looks up outside the penalty area on the right and curls a hallmark effort wide of the far post.

Julian Alvarez then has a similar effort from the opposite side, but it’s more accurate: Wes Foderingham pushes it behind.

20 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Sheffield United only had a combined xG of 0.34 from their first four shots of the game.

17 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Riyad Mahrez tries to latch on to a lofted through ball inside the penalty area but fails to connect as he’s crowded out.

Sheffield United are then impeded as they play the ball out confidently inside their own half. Suffice to say, the Blades fans behind the goal approve.

16 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Sander Berge gets beyond Sergio Gomez deep in City territory on the right and whips a dangerous cross in front of goal.

City clear as far as Jack Robinson on the edge of the box to the left of centre, who drills in a daisy-cutter. Stefan Ortega gathers at his near post.

14 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

City win a corner on the left, drawing no change from United as it’s headed clear. Erling Haaland has the ball in the net shortly afterwards, but an infringement has been spotted.

The Premier League top scorer doesn’t look too impressed with that, stretching both hands out to ask what the crime was and having a chat with referee Stuart Attwell about it.

12 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

City have had 84% of play.

9 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Julian Alvarez tried to send a low cross into the penalty area from the left before that second chance of the game for Iliman Ndiaye, but Sheffield United have been watertight in defence so far.

Not many teams this season have kept Manchester City from sending in a meaningful shot for 10 minutes.

6 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Iliman Ndiaye has looked lively for Sheffield United during the early stages. This time he breaks free inside the penalty area on the right, but the angle he shoots from is acute and his attempt hits the side netting.

5 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Manchester City pass the ball patiently around outside the Sheffield United penalty area. Riyad Mahrez tries his luck with a low shot from outside the box on the right, which Sheffield United repel.

3 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Better from Man City, who look to cause a smidgeon of trouble as Kyle Walker keeps the ball deep in Sheffield United territory on the right and wins a throw-in. They can’t create a chance from it, though.

2 mins: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Those noisy Sheffield United fans have the start they wanted, winning a corner on their right. Captain John Egan nods the delivery down and Iliman Ndiaye finds space inside the City penalty area to send in a shot.

Stefan Ortega saves but can’t hold onto the ball, and City scramble clear.

1 min: Man City 0-0 Sheffield United

Sheffield United start the first semifinal of the weekend! Erling Haaland goes on an early run in search of a through ball that is gathered by Wes Foderingham.

5 mins from kickoff: The players are in the tunnel! The Sheffield United side of the ground gave a rousing singalong to Status Quo’s ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’, then boo Manchester City anthem ‘Blue Moon’.

20 mins from kickoff: Phil Foden is on the bench again today for Manchester City. The England international has been directly involved in seven goals in his last six appearances in this competition, scoring four times.

The strength of City’s bench only underlines what a daunting task Sheffield United face today – and what an achievement it will be should the Championship side reach the final.

40 mins from kickoff: Mascot moves before a massive match. Wembley is probably around half-full at the moment, with both teams emerging to warm up.

55 mins from kickoff: And here’s how Sheffield United line up as they try to stop Erling Haaland and spring a huge shock.

1 hrs from kickoff: Team news! Here’s how Manchester City start.

1 hr 20 mins from kickoff: Erling Haaland will follow in the footsteps of a Norway defender if he scores today.

The last Norwegian player to bag for a league club was Ronny Johnsen for Manchester United – who play their semifinal against Brighton tomorrow – in 1997.

Here’s how that looked.

1 hr 40 mins from kickoff: Wembley Stadium has begun to fill with fans. Meanwhile, there’s even space for fans who aren’t of a City or Blades affiliation on Wembley Way…

2 hrs from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ coverage of the first FA Cup semifinal of the weekend!

Against a Manchester City side unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions and victorious in 12 of those games, Sheffield United face the toughest test of their season when they attempt a huge upset against a team who beat the only club above them in the Championship, Burnley, 6-0 in the previous round.

Man City vs Sheffield United confirmed lineups, team news

Nathan Ake was the only absentee for Man City after he picked up a hamstring injury in their second-leg fixture against Bayern Munich.

Phil Foden returned to the bench in that game, where he remained for this one.

Man City confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Ortega(GK) β€” Walker, Laporte, Akanji, Gomez – Gundogan, Bernardo Silva – Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish – Haaland

Jack O’Connell was out with a knee injury for Sheffield United, while Rhian Brewster, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ben Osborn and Enda Stevens all had individual muscle problems keeping them out.

Heckingbottom went with a strong side due to their position in the league. 

Sheffield United confirmed lineup (3-5-2): Foderingham (GK) β€” Baldock, Ahmedhodzic, Egan – Robinson, Lowe, Berge, Norwood, Fleck – Jebbison, Ndiaye

What time is Man City vs. Sheffield United?

The sides meet at Wembley Stadium in London, England. It kicks off at 4.45 p.m. BST on Saturday, April 22.

Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:

  Date Kickoff time
USA Sat, Apr. 22 11:45 ET
Canada Sat, Apr. 22 11:45 ET
UK Sat, Apr. 22 16:45 BST
Australia Sun, Apr. 23 01:45 AEST
India Sat, Apr. 22 21:15 IST
Hong Kong Sat, Apr. 22 23:45 HKT
Malaysia Sat, Apr. 22 23:45 MYT
Singapore Sat, Apr. 22 23:45 SGT
New Zealand Sun, Apr. 23 03:45 NZST

How to watch Man City vs. Sheffield United

  Date Kickoff time TV channel Streaming
Australia Sun, Apr. 23 01:45 AEST β€” Paramount+
Canada Sat, Apr. 22 11:45 ET Sportsnet Sportsnet Now Plus
Hong Kong Sat, Apr. 22 23:45 HKT β€” myTV SUPER
India Sat, Apr. 22 21:15 IST Sony TEN 1 Jio TV, Sony LIV
Malaysia Sat, Apr. 22 23:45 MYT Astro Supersport 4 Astro Go,
sooka
New Zealand Sun, Apr. 23 03:45 NZST Sky Sport 7 beIN Sports beIN Sports Connect
Singapore Sat, Apr. 22 23:45 SGT β€” β€”
UK Sat, Apr. 22 16:45 BST ITV 1 ITVX, STV Scotland
USA Sat, Apr. 22 11:45 ET β€” ESPN+

UK: The match will be broadcast on ITV 1 and streamed on ITVX.

USA: This match will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+.

Canada: Viewers from Canada can watch this game on Sportsnet and streamed on Sportsnet Now Plus.

Australia: This fixture will be streamed on Paramount+.

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