City 1 Arsenal 2
April 23rd 2017 att.85,725
FA Cup Semi-Final Wembley
A disappointing result for City losing to Arsenal in extra time. We had a goal wrongly disallowed in the first half and possibly denied a penalty when Aguero as brought down. A bad foul on Silva ended with him having to be substituted after only 20 odd minutes. That was a major blow to City especially with a vital derby game coming up next Thursday. With Aguero going off injured too and most City players looking very tired I dread to think what may happen in a few days time.
As far as the game against Arsenal is concerned I felt City deserved a better result. We had most of the play and it was a great goal by Aguero and we hit both post and cross bar but found the net only once. Toure and Fernandinho did well in midfield and with Kompany and Otamendi generally controlling the final third Bravo had little to do. I don't know whether Sane was working to instructions but he rarely used his outstanding pace to beat opponents. De Bruyne tried valiantly to create openings in the absence of Silva for most of the game and we need so much to be more deadly in front of goal. The atmosphere created by the City fans was excellent and they deserved a better response by the players. As far as the officials are concerned words fail me - they did not de well at all.
an early departure by coach from the Etihad Stadium on a bright spring morning
In the coach we were entertained with a video showing the highlights of the 2013-14 season
Many coaches with City fans at the service station
Early arrival at Wembley Stadium at 1230 and a chance to listen to a live band at the Media entrance
Wembley Way was as busy as usual as fans made their way from the tube station
Bobby Moore hadn't changed much since last I was at Wembley!
Some fans were very anxious to show their colors
The BT pundits get ready to broadcast
City warm up before the game
Plenty of atmosphere at the City end of the ground
City were unchanged from the win at Southampton. So it was Bravo and not Caballero in goal and Navas continued at right back.Alas no Jesus on the bench.
A foul on Silva after just 12 minutes by Gabriel was an early blow to City
Cech foils Kevin De Bruyne
On 15 minutes Arsenal had a chance but thankfully Giroud headed straight at Bravo
At the other end Cech tips a header from Silva over the bar
Fernandinho is fouled by Xhaka
From the free kick Kompany shoots wide
City fans do the 'Poznan'!!
Arsenal did get the ball in the net but the flag was up for offside
On 23 minutes Silva was subbed by Sterling. Let's hope he will be fit soon.
Sanchez gets a yellow card for a foul on Fernandinho
Kevin passes to Aguero who is brought down in the penalty area but no whistle and play goes on - terrible decision!
Aguero has to have treatment after a foul by Koscielmy
On 39 minutes City score when a run by Sane down the right is ended with Sterling netting but.....
...the flag is up for a goal kick. Post match video showed that the ball had not gone out - terrible error by the linesman
Oh dear the secret sniper has got Ramsey!
Is the ref offering Ramsey a piece of chocolate!!
So the first half ends goalless but City should have been two up!
another injury worry for City as Kompany goes down
Both number eights are down
Navas is fouled by Monreal but no whistle and the nearby City fans are a bit annoyed!
On 62 minutes Yaya Toure sent a long pass to Aguero who beat the defender for pace and chipped the ball over Cech to give City a deserved lead - great goal
I think Sergio enjoyed that one
...and I do believe the City fans did too!
The well taken goal deserved plenty of congratulations
Oh dear a party smoke bomb has gone off - accidentally of course!
Sane is brought down but no yellow card
On 71 minutes a cross from Oxlade-Chamberlain reaches Monreal who scores from close range and it's one all
City put pressure on the Arsenal goal and Cech is kept busy
That's the end of the 90 minutes and it's a short break before the extra 30 minutes commences
City manage to block the cross from Sanchez
The ref signals a six - perhaps he's an umpire too!
Fernandinho has to get more treatment and has to be subbed by Fernando
Kompany gives away a free kick .....
...and the ball gets to Sanchez who scores from close range - disaster Arsenal are in front
The Arsenal fans have something to cheer about after 102 minutes
Delph who came on for the injured Aguero gets involved
Thank goodness it was all handbags at close range!
It's half time in extra time and after Pep tries to pep up his team Iheancho is the very first 4th substitute under the new rules. He comes on for Sterling.
Just before the end a shot from Toure goes just wide and finally the Arsenal fans can look forward to be thrashed by Chelsea in May!
team
Bravo 6: Navas 6.5, Kompany 7, Otamendi 7, Clichy 6: Toure 7.5, Fernandinho 7
(Fernando 6): Sane 7, Silva 6 (Sterling 6 (iheanacho)) De Bruyne 7, Aguero 7 ( Delph 6)
