Manchester City defeats Manchester United in the FA Cup to keep up its unprecedented 'treble' bid.

• London's Wembley.

There are numerous definitions and manifestations of perfection. Pep Guardiola has led Manchester City to more polished performances this year. Even though the side has scored more goals and had more chances in other games, City's ability to dominate its rival and perform well enough to win when it counts is as good as it gets on a soccer field. This team's pursuit of history this year is due to it.

• This FA Cup game between City and United, two fierce rivals, was stressful, as the score of 2-1 would indicate. There was never a guarantee that Manchester's blue team would win. United had opportunities, but City was poised, knowledgeable, and classy.

With two goals, captain Ilkay Gundogan delivered City its second trophy of the year and kept up their pursuit of the 'treble' of the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League. The first goal, which came 13 seconds after kickoff, was the fastest in FA Cup history.

• This Saturday at Wembley, the following Saturday in Istanbul, where City, if it defeats Inter Milan in the Champions League final, may become just the second English club to win all three major trophies in a season. Which other club accomplished that feat? Manchester United in 1999, which explains why this FA Cup final wasn't like others.
  A first FA Cup final between these two city rivals, one seeking to defend its legacy, the other knowing victory would be a defining one during an era in which it has dominated English soccer, was one of the storylines woven into this game that brought this oldest of cup ties back to the forefront of English soccer.

• Despite everything Pep Guardiola has accomplished with City—the Premier League was closed up a few weeks ago for the team's fifth championship in six years, this was the club's second FA Cup victory and its 11th overall—City has never won the Champions League. The club most desires this trophy.
  Because of the quality of the team Guardiola put together, it is the favorite to win in Istanbul. Few would dispute United manager Erik ten Hag's assessment that Guardiola's team was the finest in the world after the team lost.

• The only team that can now prevent City from attaining sporting immortality is Inter Milan, making this setback for United and its supporters particularly sour.

"Now we can talk about the treble," Guardiola said to reporters following the game.

• United was a formidable opponent, according to Guardiola, who had warned before the game that the club's reputation was on the line and that prior successes needed to be preserved. However, this is the era of Guardiola's City, whereas United was once the most merciless trophy accumulator in English soccer, dominating throughout those golden years under Alex Ferguson.

Under manager Ten Hag, the club has improved; United is now more consistent, qualifying for next season's Champions League and winning the League Cup earlier in the season. United still has a global appeal, one that City does not yet equal.

• In spite of the fact that United only managed three shots on goal throughout the game, the Dutchman told reporters afterward that he was pleased with his team's effort and that "on another day we could had won this game."