Manchester City’s players have been accused of still being hungover as they produced a strangely lethargic FA Cup final display.
Manchester United arrived at Wembley as big underdogs, but City’s stars looked way off it, leaving some fans to speculate that they are still feeling the effects of their post-league title party.
City secured a fourth successive Premier League title last week with a win over West Ham, as players had a wild party to mark their latest triumph.
Several onlookers at the FA Cup final felt that City’s players appeared hungover, with Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland leading the revelry as City’s stars celebrated until 5 am at a local restaurant.
The party started in the dressing room, where players danced and sang chants before continuing the celebrations late into the night. Players were seen showing off their watches and medals, with the festive atmosphere captured in various pictures.
Later on, Phil Foden’s girlfriend Rebecca Cooke joined the festivities, along with his mother Claire Rowlands, showcasing the tight-knit camaraderie among the team members off the pitch.
The sluggish performance on the field during the final raised questions about the decision to have such a grand celebration before the important match, especially with their trophy parade around Manchester scheduled for Sunday following the disappointing result at Wembley.
The post-match analysis of the FA Cup final highlighted concerns over City’s lack of sharpness and intensity, with the aftermath of their title celebrations potentially impacting their performance on the pitch.
As Gary Neville suggested earlier in the week, the door was left open for Manchester United to capitalize on any complacency from their crosstown rivals, which they did by racing to a 2-0 lead with goals from youngsters Alejandro Garach and Kobbie Manoso.
Overall, the contrast between City’s jubilant off-field celebrations and lackluster on-field performance at the FA Cup final has sparked discussions regarding the importance of balance and focus in high-stakes football matches.
The aftermath of the final has left City fans and pundits alike questioning whether the team’s championship celebrations hindered their ability to perform at their best when it mattered most on the grand stage of the FA Cup final.
