The first half of the FA Cup final was an eventful affair, with goals at both ends and controversy aplenty as Manchester City and Manchester United took to the Wembley stage.
On a gloriously sunny summer's day in London, it was set up to be a terrific contest, and fans of the two teams were in good spirits ahead of kick-off at Wembley.
Despite the exciting nature of the first-half action, the occasion was spoiled somewhat during the first-half, when Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof was seemingly struck by a lighter thrown from the Manchester City end at Wembley.
FA Cup final: Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof appears to be struck by lighter thrown from stands
The FA Cup final did not take long to get going, with Ilkay Gundogan scoring the fastest goal in the history of the famous game to put Manchester City ahead after just 13 seconds.
Manchester United would gradually work their way back into the game and - after a rather contentious decision to award a penalty against City's Jack Grealish - Bruno Fernandes drew them level just after the half-hour mark.
Ice cold 🥶@B_Fernandes8 bags from the spot 🎯#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/9OURRxZoGH
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) June 3, 2023
The awarding of a penalty was one which had some of the match's commentators unhappy, and the Manchester City fans were also unhappy with the decision.
That being said, the scenes which followed were deeply disappointing.
Fernandes' penalty was converted in front of the Manchester City end, and the United team celebrated the goal together in front of the rival fans.
As they congregated together near the corner flag, Manchester United centre back Victor Lindelof was struck by what appeared to be a lighter which was thrown from the crowd.
Someone from the stands hit Lindelof (with a lighter?) when Man United players were celebrating Bruno Fernandes’ equalizer. #FACupFinal
pic.twitter.com/GSNKt0Obmz— Reyi (@Reinaldodcg9) June 3, 2023
It was a day on which both sets of fans had brought the colour of Manchester to London, and a small section of the stadium let the rest of the travelling supporters down.
Peter Schmeichel, who most famously played for Manchester United but also lined out for City in his playing days, would slam the actions of the fans, calling for action to be taken against the culprit:
I'm not blaming that it's Manchester City. It's somebody.
But we are at the Manchester City end, they were celebrating in front of the Manchester City supporters. They should be big enough, they are winning enough to understand it's okay to go to 1-1.
They shouldn't react like that. That's terrible, it should have consequences. I hope they find the guy or the girl or whoever did that.
Thankfully, the object was small enough and the impact glancing enough that Lindelof was not hurt in the incident, but it was nonetheless disappointing to see such scenes on cup final day.
Manchester City and Manchester United went in at half-time tied at 1-1.
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