Manchester City ended their 35-year trophy drought here Saturday, beating Stoke 1-0 to clinch the FA Cup final at Wembley. Ivory Coast international Yaya Toure was the hero once again for City, rifling in a shot on 74 minutes to settle a largely one-sided encounter. The win gave City their first piece of silverware since their victory in the 1976 League Cup final at Wembley and completed a rare double on the same day that their rivals Manchester United sealed the Premier League.
It also sealed a fine week for City, who had clinched qualification for next season’s Champions League on Tuesday by beating Tottenham. “I can only say that I’m very happy for all the supporters,” a delighted City manager Roberto Mancini told ITV afterwards. “After many years, they deserved to win this trophy,” Mancini added, gesturing towards City’s delirious army of fans. “We need to improve but we are very happy. We did a small piece of history of Manchester City. We start now.”
Goal hero Toure — who had also scored the winner in last month’s semi-final victory over Manchester United — was jubilant to have helped City end their long wait for a piece of silverware. “The dream is now… It’s fantastic to win. It’s fantastic for the history of the club,” said Toure. “We wanted to win something and get through to the Champions League. It’s amazing.” City, who dominated throughout, might have won by more had it not been for a couple of fine saves by Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen early on when Mancini’s men were threatening to run riot. City, who had been lifted by captain Carlos Tevez passing a late fitness test, settled swiftly and took control of the the opening exchanges.
