Man City 6-0 Watford: Every player rated as Raheem Sterling joins the FA Cup final elite

Manchester City became the first English men’s side to bag a domestic treble after sweeping Watford aside 6-0 in this season’s FA Cup final.

Pep Guardiola’s side were at their irresistible best as they dominated proceedings from midway through the first half until the full-time whistle.

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Raheem Sterling became only the fourth man in FA Cup final history to register a hat-trick, albeit there was a tinge of controversy as his first effort may have been scored by Gabriel Jesus, though Opta have given it to City’s number seven.

Aside from him, there were plenty more standout performers. Here is how every player rated during another historic Wembley affair.

Manchester City

Ederson – 7 – Called into action early on. Superbly denied Roberto Pereyra in a one-on-one situation.

Kyle Walker – 7 – Worked in tandem with Mahrez to dominate the right flank, only Gündoğan (83) touched the ball more times than him (73).

Vincent Kompany – 7 – If this is to be his final game for City then Kompany enjoyed himself. Occasionally dropped into midfield whenever his team were in the ascendancy.

Aymeric Laporte – 7 – Never troubled once City rode out Watford’s initial threat.

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6 – Was never under any serious threat, performed as an auxiliary winger for much of the game.

Bernardo Silva – 9 – Played a sumptuous, inch-perfect pass to Jesus whose tame effort was put into the net by Sterling to double City’s lead.

İlkay Gündoğan – 7 – Expertly filled in for Fernandino; sat in front of City’s defence and recycled possession effortlessly.

David Silva – 7 – Ended a near four-month goal drought to put City in front, was his usual, mercurial self.

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David Silva has ended his longest ever streak without a goal (27 matches). pic.twitter.com/8CIkttAC0Z

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 18, 2019

Riyad Mahrez – 6 – A constant nuisance on City’s right wing, regularly provided service to his teammates in Watford’s penalty area.

Gabriel Jesus – 7 – Got onto the end of Bernando’s pass by making a clever run but his effort wasn’t enough to cross the line. Sterling, instead, got City’s second of the game. He did, though, score their fourth.

Raheem Sterling – 9 – Smashed the ball home after Jesus’ weak shot took its sweet time to cross the line. Earlier, his headed pass allowed Silva to break the deadlock. Grabbed a late brace to bag a memorable FA Cup final hat-trick.

Only four players have scored a hat-trick in an #FACupFinal:

🎩 William Townley (1890)
🎩 James Logan (1894)
🎩 Stan Mortensen (1953)
🎩 Raheem Sterling (2019)

The first in 66 years… it's lucky he poached that first one. pic.twitter.com/UO22Xrwja7

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 18, 2019

Subs:

Kevin De Bruyne (for Riyad Mahrez, 55 mins) – 8 – Scored five minutes after coming on; received a pass from Jesus and stopped the ball dead, before coolly slotting City’s third. He then set-up Jesus moments later for their next goal.

Leroy Sané (for Ilkay Gündogan, 73 mins) – 6 – Immediately got into the swing of things, but couldn’t personally trouble Watford’s backline.

John Stones (for David Silva, 79 mins) – N/A – A late sub.

Watford

Heurelho Gomes – 4 – Believe it or not, it could have been a lot worse. Made a string of well-taken saves to ensure the scoreline didn’t creep into double figures. Sadly, no celebratory farewell.

Kiko Femenía – 5 – Hardly moved past his own half, couldn’t live with City’s free-moving players.

Adrian Mariappa – 4 – Out of his depth.

Craig Cathcart – 4 – Powerless.

José Holebas – 4 –On second thoughts, might have prefered to remain suspended.

Étienne Capoue – 5 – Gave everything, no one completed more tackles (3) than him, but it became too much once City put their foot down.

Abdoulaye Doucouré – 4 – Caught in possession for City’s opener, moments earlier saw his name enter the referee’s book for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Will Hughes – 5 – Started promisingly, offering himself whenever Watford went forward, but soon became engulfed by City’s midfield.

Roberto Pereyra – 6 – Unfortunate not to put Watford in front, nevertheless, was one of the Hornet’s busiest players.

Gerard Deulofeu – 5 – Never stopped running, but would for large parts of the game be reduced to a spectator.

Troy Deeney – 6 – Started busily but as soon as City took control he became increasingly isolated.

Subs:

Andre Gray (for Gerard Deulofeu, 66 mins) – 4 – Couldn’t get into the game. But you can hardly blame him.

Isaac Success (for Roberto Pereyra, 66 mins) – 4 –Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do.

Tom Cleverley (for Will Hughes, 73 mins) – 4 – Barely touched the ball.