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37 RAHEEM Sterling scored the first FA Cup final hat-trick since 1953 as Manchester City round- ed off an outstanding season by crushing Watford at Wembley to clinch a historic domestic tre- ble. Sterling was the star of the show as Pep Guardiola's team became the first English men's team to achieve the feat of win- ning the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup in the same season. They reaffirmed their status as this season's dominant force as Watford were utterly outclassed, City achieving the biggest FA Cup final win since Bury beat Derby 6-0 in 1903. 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 ref- eree Kevin Friend waved away penalty claims after Vincent Kompany blocked Abdoulaye Doucoure's shot. The contest was effectively over from the moment David Silva finished from close range after 26 minutes, Sterling dou- bling the advantage before half- time by turning in Gabriel Jesus's goalbound shot. Watford rallied briefly after the break but were always wide open to the counter attack. They were brutally punished by an imperious City side, as sub- stitute Kevin de Bruyne scored from Gabriel Jesus's pass just after the hour before the Brazil- ian raced clear for another goal shortly afterwards. Sterling wrote his own name into the history with a treble by scoring twice in the final 10 min- utes - turning in Bernardo Silva's perfect cross before bundling in the final goal of a memorable display from Guardiola's side. England international Sterling is the fourth player to score a hat-trick in an FA Cup final - and first since Stan Mortensen for Blackpool 66 years ago. It was City's sixth FA Cup triumph and their first under Guardiola, who has now won six trophies since taking over at Eti- had Stadium in 2016. City's win means Wolves, who finished seventh in the Premier League table, will play in the two-legged second qualifying round of the Europa League on 25 July and 1 August. Irresistible Man City make history City claimed the coveted league and FA Cup double for the first time - the first team it has been achieved since Chelsea did it un- der Carlo Ancelotti in 2009-10. This comprehensive triumph, however, was about even more than that. The securing of three trophies underscores the scale of City's achievement - and emphasises the hunger and desire which has driven them this season, notably to finish ahead of Liverpool in a relentless Premier League title race. Their ability to move to anoth- er level when required was on show here at they resisted Wat- ford's early promise - and then brushed them aside. They refused to ease up when Watford were down and out, pressing forward until the final whistle, with substitute John Stones only being denied by the bar in the final seconds as City almost became the first team in win an FA Cup final by seven goals. The pedal was still pressed to the floor as the goals racked up. And it was all achieved with- out leading goalscorer Sergio Aguero, restricted to a place on the bench alongside De Bruyne, Stones and Leroy Sane. Watford feel FA Cup final pain Watford arrived at Wembley hoping to overturn the odds and enjoy a happier day than they experienced in their previous FA Cup final appearance, when they lost 2-0 to Everton in 1984. In the end, brief defiance ended in a fearful hammering as they were taken apart by this magnifi- cent City side. Yes, they will look back at Pereyra's early missed chance and that handball appeal. But in reality the team that fin- ished a mammoth 48 points be- hind City in the Premier League saw the chasm opening out in front of them on a day of pain at the national stadium. Watford's fans were mag- nificent, waving their flags in defiance as their team were thrashed, and they will still have memories of that remarkable comeback from two goals down to beat Wolves 3-2 in the semi- final. On the pitch, however, they will wish to wipe a harrowing 90 minutes from the memory bank as soon as possible. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 MAY 2019 SPORTS FA CUP LEASING OF PROPERTY MGARR HARBOUR, GOZO Gozo Channel (Operations) Limited invites interested parties to submit Offers for the leasing of property of approximately one thousand (1,000) square meters at Mgarr Harbour, Gozo, to be used for Company offices/stores. Gozo Channel (Operations) Limited notifies that sealed offers will be received at its office situated at the Brokerage, Level 2, St. Martha Street, Victoria, Gozo, by not later than Friday 31 May 2019 at 10.00am. Gozo Channel (Operations) Limited Channel House, Mgarr Harbour, Mgarr, Gozo GSM 2480 Tel: (+356) 2210 9000 Fax: (+356) 2155 6743 CALL FOR OFFER Sterling scores hat-trick as Man City win FA Cup to clinch domestic treble