Manchester United set up a first FA Cup final against Manchester City after beating Brighton in a tense penalty shootout at a rain-lashed Wembley Stadium.

In a match that finished goalless after extra-time, it fell to United defender Victor Lindelof to score the decisive spot-kick after Solly March sent his effort high over the bar. The 7-6 result means Erik ten Hag’s side have reached their second domestic final of the season, having won the League Cup in February.

In the semi-final, both goalkeepers excelled with David De Gea making fine saves and Brighton’s Robert Sanchez turning away Marcus Rashford’s deflected effort in extra time.

Written with inputs from Reuters

Mahrez hat-trick delights Guardiola

London: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he was “happy and really satisfied” after his side eased past second-tier Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium on Saturday to snap their losing streak in FA Cup semi-finals.

Guardiola made six changes from the team, which drew at Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, with a Riyad Mahrez hat-trick securing City a 3-0 win and a spot in the final.

“It’s the fourth time in a row we are here, and the last three against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool we could not do it,” Guardiola said after the win.

“We performed. This game is coming on the back of Bayern, and we talked about how we have to try again and perform well — and they did really well with all the guys, the ones that came from the bench... everyone wasperfect."

Guardiola highlighted the contribution of goalscorer Mahrez, who did not feature in either of City’s Champions League quarter-final games.

“Always he’s grumpy with me when he doesn’t play,” Guardiola said.

“All the time, he makes me notice he’s grumpy. He’s an exceptional player and his play was exceptional. A biggest-stage player who has the mentality to score goals.”

Reuters