Man City 3-0 Sheffield United LIVE! FA Cup result, match stream, latest reaction and updates today

Manchester City vs Sheffield United - LIVE!

Riyad Mahrez scored the first FA Cup semi-final hat-trick for 65 years as Manchester City eased past Sheffield United with a 3-0 victory to book their place in the final. Pep Guardiola has regularly cut a frustrated figure when fielding questions on a potential treble as his side continue to fight on three fronts, but that talk is only going to intensify as City ensured they will be returning to Wembley at the start of June to face either Brighton or Manchester United

After a relatively sluggish start from the heavy favourites, City took the lead before the break through a penalty from Mahrez, and he added two more in the second-half to ensure there was to be no slip-up against the Championship side who are on the verge of securing automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

City’s attention now turns back to the Premier League, when Arsenal travel to the Etihad on Wednesday night. Victory for Guardiola’s side and the Gunners’ title race may well be run.

Man City vs Sheffield United latest news

• GOAL! Mahrez hat-trick puts result beyond doubt

• GOAL! Second of the match for Mahrez

• GOAL! Mahrez tucks penalty away

Manchester City FC 3 - 0 Sheffield United FC

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20:02 , Matt Verri

Riyad Mahrez scored the first FA Cup semi-final hat-trick for 65 years as Manchester City eased past Sheffield United with a 3-0 victory to book their place in the final.

Pep Guardiola has regularly cut a frustrated figure when fielding questions on a potential treble as his side continue to fight on three fronts, but that talk is only going to intensify as City ensured they will be returning to Wembley at the start of June to face either Brighton or Manchester United.

Read our full report here!

It’s very much on!

19:06 , Matt Verri

Yet another clean sheet

18:55 , Matt Verri

Five matches. Five wins. 17 goals scored. None conceded.

Been a fairly decent run to the FA Cup final for Man City, to put it mildly...

Reaction from Mahrez

18:47 , Matt Verri

“It is very good, but the most important thing is, for two or three years in a row we have come here and lost and didn’t play good,” he tells ITV Sport.

“Today we really wanted to make sure we put in a good performance and get to the final. I think we had a good game and we are happy.

“I think it was a collective performance that was really good, we took the game really seriously. Now we have to concentrate on the League and the game against Arsenal.”

Three of the best for Mahrez

18:42 , Matt Verri

FT: Man City 3-0 Sheffield United

18:38 , Matt Verri

On they go.

No signs of City slowing down in any competition, and they’ve swept aside the Blades. Riyad Mahrez with a brilliant hat-trick.

The treble is on, very much so.

18:36 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: And again City go close!

Palmer has been really impressive since coming on. Fires the ball across the face of goal, Foden slides in at the back post but he can’t quite catch up with it.

18:34 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Should be 4-0. Foden pokes the ball through to Alvarez, into the box and he fires wide of the far post. Big chance.

Three minutes added on.

18:33 , Matt Verri

89 mins: We’re moved into the world of walking football. Sheffield United break into a press, roared on by their fans, but City just pass through them.

An absolute cruise this for Guardiola’s side, which won’t thrill Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.

18:30 , Matt Verri

86 mins: Basham skips inside into the box, goes down as Laporte closes him down. Definitely not. Even his heart wasn’t truly in those penalty appeals.

Worth a try though.

18:26 , Matt Verri

82 mins: Lewis on for Silva, he’ll get ten minutes or so at Wembley.

Mahrez meanwhile wants more, as he skips into the box. Squares it for Foden, looks to combine with Gomez but the Blades have enough bodies back.

18:24 , Matt Verri

79 mins: Not much pace in the match now at all. Both sides know this is done.

Can the Blades find a consolation? Almost, Basham very nearly played in on goal but Laporte has read it brilliantly to intercept.

18:20 , Matt Verri

75 mins: A rare Phillips sighting! He is real. Gundogan the man replaced.

The Blades turn to their bench too, some fresh legs introduced. Coulibaly, Bogle and Basham on for Berge, Baldock and Ahmedhodzic.

18:17 , Matt Verri

72 mins: McBurnie wins the flick-in, Sharp briefly looks to be in again but he controls it with his arm. Not particularly subtle either.

Feels like this could be a pretty long 20 minutes or so for the Blades, though City do look like they’re happy enough to ease off and just pass the ball around.

18:13 , Matt Verri

69 mins: A real chance for the Blades!

Sharp away down the left, crosses it in low for McBurnie and it falls for him, as Gomez swings at thin air. McBurnie loses his balance though as he looks to cut the ball back and City can clear.

18:11 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Here come the changes from City.

Grealish and Haaland off, as the focus turns to Wednesday’s clash with Arsenal. Palmer and Foden introduced.

GOAL! Man City 3-0 Sheffield United | Riyad Mahrez 66'

18:10 , Matt Verri

HAT-TRICK FOR MAHREZ!

That really is that. Grealish into the box, ball cut back perfectly to Mahrez and he just whips it first-time beyond Foderingham, who got a big hand to it.

18:07 , Matt Verri

64 mins: Sheffield United pushing up further now, but it’s just leaving more space for City and they’re passing the ball around with supreme confidence.

Haaland and Grealish to come off and be rested soon? Got to imagine so.

GOAL! Man City 2-0 Sheffield United | Riyad Mahrez 61'

18:05 , Matt Verri

GAME OVER?

Brilliant from Mahrez. Wins the ball back on the halfway line and just runs at the Blades defence, straight through the middle.

Into the box, slides the finish into the bottom corner and City are cruising now.

18:02 , Matt Verri

58 mins: Blades make their first change, McBurnie on for Jebbison. See if he can have a bit more of an impact.

Championship side are still just about in this, only one goal in it. They’re dropping really deep though.

18:00 , Matt Verri

56 mins: Nearly!

Gomez from the edge of the box, shot is deflected and bounces towards the far post where Haaland is flying in. He can’t quite catch up with it.

Second City goal feeling inevitable...

17:57 , Matt Verri

53 mins: Needless corner given away by the Blades, who haven’t really got going yet since the break.

That helps though, Mahrez loops it over everyone and Sheffield United can clear their lines... or not. Straight to a blue shirt and the City wave comes again.

17:55 , Matt Verri

51 mins: Walker gets bored of all the passing and lashes an effort from miles out. Deflected and flies behind for a corner.

Put right on top of Foderingham, but he claims it well under pressure.

17:52 , Matt Verri

48 mins: Imagine little will change for the Blades for now, they’ll be content to just keep this at 1-0 heading into the final 15 minutes or so.

But then you look at the City bench - Foden and De Bruyne just a couple of those waiting in reserve if required.

Back underway!

17:49 , Matt Verri

Up and running again at Wembley!

17:43 , Matt Verri

Five shots for City, four for Sheffield United. For all Guardiola’s side have had 80% of the ball, they’ve done very little with it.

That doesn’t matter though, that penalty before the breaks means that it’s the Blades who will at some point have to force the issue.

No saving that...

17:36 , Matt Verri

HT: Man City 1-0 Sheffield United

17:33 , Matt Verri

And that’s half-time.

Frustrating for Sheffield United to be behind, one rash challenge in the box was all it took. Mahrez with a great penalty and City have control.

But there was plenty to be encouraged by for the Blades - they have to find a goal now though.

17:31 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Inches away! Mahrez in behind, lobs the ball across the face of goal and Alvarez is very nearly on the scene to turn the ball into the empty net.

Not that it matters, the offside flag then eventually goes up.

Two minutes added on.

GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Sheffield United | Riyad Mahrez 43'

17:28 , Matt Verri

CITY LEAD!

In front of the Sheffield United fans but he keeps his cool, tucked in the bottom corner as Foderingham dives the wrong way.

17:27 , Matt Verri

Check complete.

No offside, it is a foul... penalty decision remains. It’s Mahrez taking it, not Haaland.

PENALTY CITY!

17:26 , Matt Verri

40 mins: Norwood with a clumsy challenge out wide, good position this for Mahrez to whip a free-kick into the box.

Or not, Gundogan takes instead. Falls for Bernardo at the back post, swings at thin air... but Jebbison then catches him and it’s a penalty!

Rash challenge in the box.

17:23 , Matt Verri

37 mins: Grealish being forced to keep turning back, getting no space. Alvarez has the same problem as he tries to bundle his way straight through the middle.

Blades dropping deeper, need to keep offering that threat on the break and holding the ball up when it’s launched forward.

17:20 , Matt Verri

34 min: Watch out. Haaland drops deep, turns his man and drives at goal. Slides the ball wide to Grealish, ball back to Gomez but he is swiftly surrounded.

Here come the Blades on the break, rare space for them. Brilliant from Walker though to slow things down and then win it back for City.

17:16 , Matt Verri

31 mins: That will suit the Blades just fine. Bernardo drifting inside, surrounded by four red and white shirts but goes for goal from 30 yards out.

Dribbles through to the goalkeeper, easy as you like. Blades haven’t really offered anything in attack in the last 20 minutes or so, but very solid at the back.

17:15 , Matt Verri

29 mins: Gomez launches himself somewhere between three and four feet in the air as Baldock comes across and leaves one on him.

Sheffield United man immediately turns his attention to avoid a booking with apologies, and it works.

17:13 , Matt Verri

27 mins: City players starting to get a bit frustrated, nothing like at their best so far.

Space here though for Walker to bomb forward on the right, played inside to Bernardo. His cross is deflected behind, very nearly crept inside the near post.

17:10 , Matt Verri

24 mins: Alvarez forces Foderingham into actual action this time, tipping his curling effort behind for a corner.

Grealish picks up the loose ball and, believe it or not, draws a cheap foul. Blades fan unimpressed.

17:08 , Matt Verri

22 mins: Alvarez into the box, undecided between shooting from a tight angle or squaring for Haaland. Ends up doing neither.

City stay on the attack, Mahrez 20 yards out looks to whip a cross into the far corner. Not enough whip on it, well wide. Full length dive from the goalkeeper though, keen to look interested.

17:06 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Well, 20 minutes played and it’s 4-0 in Sheffield United’s favour in terms of shots. Not quite what was expected.

Well over 80% of the ball for City though, which is somewhat more in keeping with the script. Won’t bother the Blades one bit though.

17:03 , Matt Verri

17 mins: Berge skips past his man and gets to the byline, ball stood up to the back post.

Cleared out to Robinson, tries his luck from distance and it’s the most comfortable of saves for Ortega. Just about reached him.

17:01 , Matt Verri

15 mins: There is Haaland, there is the ball in the back of the net... but there is the whistle.

About 30 yards out, lashes the ball into the bottom corner but the defenders had long stopped moving. Whistle already gone for a Sheffield United free-kick.

16:58 , Matt Verri

13 mins: City win their first corner of the match, Grealish becoming increasingly involved and causing problems down the left. Gomez getting plenty of space as a result.

Mahrez swings it into the box, Haaland was lurking at the back post but Egan is there to nod it behind for another corner.

This one cleared away too, for a throw-in. Akanji gets a blow to the head in the process but he’s quickly back up.

16:56 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Sheffield United looking to go long, and quickly, when they win the ball back. Space is there for them with Walker and Gomez pushing up and inside the pitch.

Haaland hasn’t even come close to touching the ball so far.

16:53 , Matt Verri

7 mins: Ball lumped forward by the Blades, flicked on and Ndiaye is in behind.

Tight angle, ball won’t quite drop for him and he scuffs an effort wide under pressure from Akanji. This is encouraging stuff though from the Blades.

16:50 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Bit more of what we expected, City knocking the ball around confidently.

Solid shape from Sheffield United though, not letting City play through them. Walker’s pass through the lines is intercepted.

16:48 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Just what the Blades need, positive start and they have a corner in the opening minute. Up come the defenders.

Headed on, falls for Ndiaye... HUGE CHANCE! Ortega gets down and makes the save, it’s an an absolutely massive moment.

Sheffield United should be in front.

KICK-OFF!

16:46 , Matt Verri

Up and running at Wembley!

16:43 , Matt Verri

Players are out onto the pitch, brilliant atmosphere.

Sheffield United have to try and be positive when their moments come, can’t just sit back and hope for the best against this City side for 90 minutes.

Easier said than done though...

16:40 , Matt Verri

Blue Moon being played at Wembley, pretty much drowned out by the boos from the Sheffield United fans. They’re making an incredible noise from that red and white end.

If the players can match what the fans have brought to Wembley, we’ll have a game on our hands!

Pre-match pearls of wisdom from Guardiola

16:33 , Matt Verri

Not long now!

16:30 , Matt Verri

15 minutes or so until we get up and running at Wembley. Glorious afternoon for it.

Second semi-final to come tomorrow, when Brighton and Manchester United go head-to-head.

Could well have a Manchester derby in the FA Cup final...

Inside the Blades dressing room...

16:21 , Matt Verri

Phillips misses out again

16:15 , Matt Verri

More frustration for Kalvin Phillips.

One start in the FA Cup, one start in the League Cup... that’s all he’s had this season. Once again on the bench this afternoon, as Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva get the nod in midfield.

Got to feel this was his last chance to make a start this season.

Heckingbottom: No fear from us

16:07 , Matt Verri

Paul Heckingbottom has insisted Sheffield United will not be timid this afternoon despite going into the match as huge underdogs.

“We know how tough the opponents are and we know how we want to play but there’s no fear from us,” the Blades boss said.

“What have we got to lose? It’s a game of football, we’ve got to attack it. We have to try and play our game and we know the majority may be without the ball, but so what?

“We have to be really aggressive still to try and control where they play and when we get the ball we have to be brave and composed enough to make passes and try and hurt them.”

Blades making themselves heard...

15:59 , Matt Verri

City shuffle pack

15:55 , Matt Verri

So Guardiola does make changes, as expected. Ortega comes in to replace Ederson, with Walker and Gomez the full-back pairing this afternoon in what appears to be a more traditional back-four.

Gundogan and Bernardo in midfield, with both Alvarez and Haaland in the side too. Very attacking side.

For Sheffield United, McBurnie on the bench as Ndiaye and Jebbison get the nod up front. They need to be clinical when their chances come.

Sheffield United team news

15:50 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Foderingham, Baldock, Egan, Ahmedhodžić, Egan, Robinson, Lowe, Norwood, Berge, Fleck, Ndiaye, Jebbison

Subs: Davies, Basham, Clark, Bogle, Coulibaly, Arblaster, Brooks, Sharp, McBurnie

Man City team news

15:45 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Ortega, Walker, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez, Gundogan, Bernardo, Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish, Haaland

Subs: Ederson, Dias, Phillips, Stones, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Foden, Palmer, Lewis

Arsenal slump gives City major boost

15:37 , Matt Verri

Sure the Man City players would have been tuned in last night to the drama at the Emirates, as Arsenal dropped two more points in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Southampton.

At the full-time whistle, the Arsenal players sunk to their knees and collapsed to the floor.

Despite a late flurry against Southampton, they slipped to a third draw in a row and it feels like their title charge is running out of steam.

The Gunners extended their lead at the top over Manchester City to five points, but crucially Pep Guardiola’s have two games in hand.

The two sides will meet on Wednesday at Etihad Stadium and it now feels like a case of do or die for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Read our full report on that here

Ominous form...

15:31 , Matt Verri

Guardiola: No treble talk

15:26 , Matt Verri

Pep Guardiola has dismissed talk of Manchester City winning the treble this season, insisting he is “not at all” excited about the possibility.

City continue to fight on three fronts after seeing off Bayern Munich in midweek to reach the Champions League semi-finals, and they now turn to their focus to the FA Cup last-four as they face Sheffield United.

“We will start to talk about the treble when we’ve won the Premier League, after we’ve the FA Cup and before the final of the Champions League,” Guardiola said on Friday. “Look how far away until we start to talk about that.”

When told it was just 11 games away, though the actual figure is 13, he responded sarcastically: “Just. Yeah, just 11 games. Just.

“We’re far away. How many times in this amazing country have trebles been done? How many years, how many times? One. Our neighbours did it.

“The best is to focus on having enough legs for tomorrow to compete against Sheffield United.”

One whether he was getting excited about the chance of winning the treble, Guardiola added: “About the treble? Not at all.”

Sheffield United in the building!

15:19 , Matt Verri

More Championship opposition for City

15:14 , Matt Verri

Been a brilliant season so far for Sheffield United, sitting second in the Championship.

They are seven points ahead of Luton in third, with a game in hand, so they are just one win away from sealing automatic promotion.

Only Burnley have been better in the Championship this campaign - problem is Man City beat Vincent Kompany’s side 6-0 earlier this year!

Guardiola sends warning to City players

15:06 , Matt Verri

Man City lost 3-2 to Liverpool last season in an FA Cup semi-final clash that was effectively decided in the opening 45 minutes, with Guardiola’s side three-goals down at the break and ultimately unable to recover from that start.

It was the third year in a row that they have been beaten at the last-four stage at Wembley, and the City boss has warned his side that their attention must be on Sheffield United rather than what is to come in Europe or in the Premier League.

“If you play the semi-finals [thinking it is] not important enough like the Champions League or next game against Arsenal, it is better not to travel,” Guardiola said.

“It’s better to stay here. What we have done in the past, the last three or four years in the FA Cup semi-finals, it’s better that we stayed in Manchester. You can lose, but not the way we lose. We were not even there.”

Blades have travelled in numbers!

15:01 , Matt Verri

Standard Sport prediction

14:52 , Matt Verri

While the Blades cannot be written off, it would be a major shock to see them stopping a City team in this kind of form.

Guardiola has complained about tired legs but he has such a strong squad that even a rotated side could include the likes of Julian Alvarez, Kalvin Phillips and Riyad Mahrez.

Man City to win, 3-0.

Sheffield United team news

14:45 , Matt Verri

For the Blades, both Tommy Doyle and James McAtee are unavailable as they are on loan from City, despite Guardiola revealing he was keen for the pair to play.

“Unfortunately they can’t play,” he said yesterday. “Loan players to get experience and what better experience for City is to play FA Cup semi-final. It would be incredible for their development. Rule is the rule.”

Wes Foderingham, however, is now free of suspension in goal.

Man City team news

14:37 , Matt Verri

Manchester City are missing Nathan Ake for this afternoon’s FA Cup semi-final date with Sheffield United at Wembley.

The Dutch defender limped off midway through the second leg of City’s Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich on Wednesday night with what appeared to be a hamstring strain.

“He’s not ready for tomorrow, but I don’t know how is the damage,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday. “I think today they make the final test to know exactly what he has.”

Changes can be expected from City, particularly with Arsenal to come in a potential title-decider in midweek, with Stefan Ortega likely to start in goal as he has done throughout the FA Cup run this season.

Kyle Walker and Laporte could both come in, while Rico Lewis is an option to replace John Stones in the hybrid midfield should Guardiola stick with the same system that has been serving City so well of late.

Riyad Mahrez will be hoping to return to the starting XI as well after missing out against Bayern, while Phil Foden will once again be in the squad as he pushes to make his first start since the quarter-final win over Burnley last month following surgery for appendicitis.

Predicted Man City XI: Ortega; Walker, Dias, Laporte; Lewis, Phillips; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Grealish; Haaland.

How to watch Man City vs Sheffield United

14:30 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, today’s game will be broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 4pm.

Live stream: The ITV website and ITVX app will offer a live stream service online, also free to access.

LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us!

Good afternoon!

14:22 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE blog of Manchester City vs Sheffield United!

It’s the first of the two FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, with Brighton taking on Manchester United tomorrow afternoon for a place in the final.

Talk of the treble continues for City, and they are huge favourites to get past Championship opposition here. Can the Blades pull off an almighty shock?

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 4:45pm BST from Wembley. Stay with us!