MANUEL Akanji earned Manchester City Wembley revenge on neighbours United. The Swiss defender, who failed to convert his penalty in a Euro 2024 shootout against England, made no mistake after United veteran Jonny Evans had sent his kick over the bar. It was harsh on United, who were set to follow up their FA Cup Final win with another deserved victory over their rivals.
Alejandro Garnacho seemed to have won the game in normal time for the men in red. After scoring the second goal in the cup final, the Argentinian broke the deadlock with eight minutes left. But after being second best for an hour, City roused themselves to force a penalty shootout and substitute Bernardo Silva headed an 89th-minute equaliser.
Yet moments later Silva turned from hero to villain when his spotkick, City's first, was saved by Andre Onana. The drama increased when Jadon Sancho, who had missed for England in the Euro 2020 final shootout against Italy, saw his effort diverted on to the post by Ederson. The City goalkeeper himself sent it into sudden death by stroking home his team's fifth kick.
And after Evans' miss, Akanji earned his side the first silverware of the new season. Most read in Football BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER S Pep Guardiola's side made hard work of it though, and United boss Erik Ten Hag should be encouraged by his team's performance as they fought back from a poor start. In a low-key opening, the only moment of note was an off-the-ball collision between Erling H.