Watford beaten 6-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley

Watford supporters sing until the last in face of heavy FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City

FA Cup final: Javi Gracia reacts to Watford’s heavy defeat to Manchester City

Players rated as Watford are thumped by Manchester City in the FA Cup final

Watford owner Gino Pozzo and chairman Scott Duxbury issue ‘thank you’ statement to fans

Pictures of Watford’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City

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Heurelho Gomes wants Watford to focus on positives from their recent season

Heurelho Gomes will talk to Watford about his future plans

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The magic of the FA Cup is alive and well in the spirit of the Watford fans

Watford’s best chance of over-turning the odds came early on when City keeper Ederson saved at the feel of Roberto Pereyra and they were furious when referee Kevin Friend waved away penalty claims after Vincent Kompany blocked Abdoulaye Doucoure’s shot.

Watford then had a strong call for a penalty turned down by Kevin Friend as Abdoulaye Doucoure’s shot hit the arm of Vincent Kompany. Though the hand was by his side, we have recently seen penalties given by VAR for similar incidents, particularly in Europe, though the VAR controversially opted against a spot kick this time.

In the process it was also a demonstration of the gulf that now exists between a team that has just won back-to-back Premier League titles and one that finished 10 places further back, 48 points worse off, playing in only their second final.

Manchester City 6-0 Watford: FA Cup final player ratings

As it happened

Manchester City’s sky blue smashing of Watford proves football is broken

Might it have been different if Pereyra had taken Watford’s best chance on 14 minutes? Gracia said something about it in passing later although it felt a little wishful. The Watford coach’s point was that you really have to take your chances in those moments to have any hope at all. Abdoulaye Doucoure sprung the trap on 14 minutes and Pereyra had just Ederson to beat. But the man who is arguably the Premier League’s best goalkeeper came out at speed and seized the initiative from the Watford attacker whose shot hit Ederson’s legs.

Except that at 5-0, something remarkable happens.  We’ve been loud, in general, and in defiance of the scoreline.  Louder than a month ago, louder than City, the grim memory of the Palace play off now surely dismissed.  Because at 5-0 the songs start to thunder and the flags start to wave  and suddenly the away end is a torrent of yellow and red as flags get frantically waved.  I destroy two, the second of which floats down to the posh seats below as it detaches from its pole. It’s breathtaking and emotional.

City’s fifth came as a low cross from Silva was converted by Sterling.  At this point something remarkable happened, the flags started waving in the Watford end.  First a few and then the stand was a sea of red and yellow, all around us getting to their feet to wave the flags and sing our hearts out for the lads. 

Watford are in football’s shrinking sweet spot & that’s something to envy

The Biggest Day In Our History

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BBC preview

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Troy Deeney ready for FA Cup final battle with ‘beast’ Vincent Kompany

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Watford FC’s hidden history revealed in five facts…

What if we win?  Yes, we’re underdogs.  But at least we’re that.  Any club in the country would love to be that right now, certainly Wolves who, whatever your attitude after three eventful games will be watching on nervously, telling themselves that this is something they can’t affect, because they can’t affect it, but worrying anyway.

FA Cup Final Preview

🏆 FA Cup Final Day 🏆

✅ Woking
✅ Newcastle United
✅ Queens Park Rangers
✅ Crystal Palace
✅ Wolverhampton Wanderers
❓ Manchester City

Re-live our historic journey to the #FACupFinal…#WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/7sFOMume9W

— The Hornets' Nest (@hornetsnestwfc) May 18, 2019

FA Cup Final 2019 Preview

Who's ready?! pic.twitter.com/Nl0Urv0nXu

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 17, 2019

Vicarage Road, Friday 12th April

Rickmansworth High Street, Tuesday 14th May

Watford, Friday 17th May