Manchester Metropolis are the 2024 FA Neighborhood Protect winners after beating Manchester United 7-6 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 attract regular time.
It’s the first time since Metropolis have gained the top-flight curtain raiser since beating Liverpool 5-4 on penalties in 2019 and places an finish to their three-year run of shedding on this fixture (2021, 2022 and 2023).
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho appeared to have gained the Neighborhood Protect for Manchester United when he lower inside and fired dwelling a unbelievable effort with simply eight minutes of regular time left on the clock.
Nevertheless, that was earlier than fellow substitute Bernardo Silva popped up within the 89th minute to move dwelling Oscar Bobb’s cross some eight minutes after getting into the fray.
The Neighborhood Protect then went to a penalty shootout for the fourth time in six seasons, with Manuel Akanji capitalising on Jonny Evans’ miss by changing his decisive spot-kick to win the shootout 7-6 and earn Pep Guardiola’s facet their first trophy of the 2024/25 season.
Whereas the FA Neighborhood Protect could not maintain nice significance when discussing main honours, it’s a match either side needed to win.
The incentives had been there, a Manchester derby, the top-flight curtain raiser and for Man Metropolis, an opportunity to avenge their FA Cup last defeat towards their Manchester rivals some three months in the past.
