2019 FA Cup Final vs Watford
A historic six-nil demolition that crowned a season of unprecedented domestic dominance.
The 2019 FA Cup Final stands as a defining moment in Manchester City's modern era of dominance, marking their third consecutive domestic cup final appearance and second trophy of the season. Played at Wembley Stadium on May 18, 2019, this match saw Pep Guardiola's side face Watford in a contest that would ultimately secure the club's record-breaking sixth FA Cup title, cementing their status as one of England's most decorated clubs.
- Date
- May 18, 2019
- Venue
- Wembley Stadium, London
- Opponent
- Watford FC
- Scoreline
- 6-0
- Competition
- FA Cup Final
- Key Scorer
- Raheem Sterling (2 goals)
- Result
- Manchester City Win
Lore & Background
The match itself became a showcase of City's attacking fluidity at its absolute peak. From the opening whistle, Watford found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume and precision of City's movement. The scoreline quickly spiraled out of control, with goals coming from every angle—midfield runs, clinical finishing, and defensive errors exploited ruthlessly. It was a performance that transcended mere victory; it was a statement of intent that left no doubt about City's supremacy in English football at the time.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Wembley hummed with anticipation, but as the referee blew the whistle, the script seemed to write itself before the first minute had passed. Raheem Sterling, sharp and hungry, found space on the right flank; his cross sliced through the Watford defense, finding David Silva who finished with clinical precision. The roar from the City end was deafening as the net rippled again and again. By halftime, the scoreboard read 3-0, yet the game felt far from over. In the second half, the rhythm never broke; Fernandinho's thunderous strike from distance and Sterling's second goal turned a final into a procession of skill. As the full-time whistle blew on 6-0, players embraced in a sea of sky blue, the weight of history settling gently on their shoulders as they lifted the silverware, completing a season where they had already claimed the League Cup and Premier League.
Reader's Guide
The occasion was the 2019 FA Cup Final, English football's oldest knockout competition. Manchester City entered as heavy favorites against Watford, aiming to secure their sixth title in club history and complete an unprecedented domestic double for the second time under Pep Guardiola.
What unfolded was nothing short of a masterclass. City dominated from start to finish, scoring six unanswered goals. Raheem Sterling netted twice, while David Silva (celebrating his 50th goal for the club), Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus, and Bernardo Silva added to the tally. Watford offered little resistance as City's intricate passing and suffocating high press dismantled their defense completely.
This match is remembered not just for the lopsided scoreline, but for capping a historic season where City won four major trophies. It remains one of the most dominant performances in FA Cup Final history, showcasing the absolute peak of Guardiola's tactical evolution and the sheer quality of his squad.
Did You Know?
- This victory made Manchester City the first club to win the FA Cup three times in a row since the competition was suspended during World War II.
- The six-goal margin of victory is one of the largest in FA Cup Final history, matching the record set by Blackburn Rovers in 1890.
- David Silva scored his 50th goal for Manchester City in this match, highlighting his status as a club legend.
- This was the first time since 2011 that an English team had won the domestic treble (Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup), though City achieved it with four trophies by also winning the Community Shield later that year.