Manchester City cruised to the FA Cup final on Saturday evening, with a 3-0 victory over Sheffield United at Wembley.
It was a disappointing day for the Irishman at the heart of the Sheffield United defence, with John Egan's Blades exiting the cup at the last four stage.
Speaking during ITV's post-match analysis, Roy Keane questioned Egan's role in Riyad Mahrez's second goal, saying he and his defensive partner Jack Robinson could have done more to prevent Mahrez from scoring.
Manchester City v Sheffield United: Roy Keane questions John Egan defence of City goal
For Manchester City, it was all too easy in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United.
Though the Blades put up a good fight in the first half, and threatened to make a breakthrough on occasion, the gulf in class was plain to see and the gap widened once City won a penalty late in the first half through a clumsy challenge on Bernardo Silva.
Riyad Mahrez dispatched the penalty to put City ahead, and went on to add another two goals to his tally in style in the second half to help City cruise to a 3-0 victory at Wembley.
His second goal was the highlight, as he danced through the Sheffield United defence to score a sensational individual goal.
What a run 😳@Mahrez22 with an incredible solo goal!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/u4jIRAlGYc
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 22, 2023
Despite the brilliance of Mahrez's run, ITV pundit Roy Keane was unimpressed with the defensive efforts of his fellow Corkonian John Egan at the heart of the Sheffield United defence.
Keane said that Egan and his defensive partner Jack Robinson would be disappointed that they had let Mahrez run "straight" at goal, and that they had a greater duty to protect the centre of the pitch:
I would be really disappointed with Robinson and Egan here. Yeah, there's runners - if he plays them in and they score, then no problem. You can't just let him walk through the middle.
Egan's took a gamble. You've got to protect the middle of the goals and make a tackle - here, you're hoping you'll get away with it.
Obviously, they're top class players and they punish you. But Robinson and Egan will be disappointed - you can't have players running straight at you, you have to protect the goal. You can't just let him run that distance and put it in the back of your net.
Ian Wright echoed Keane's sentiments, saying that the defenders hadn't made the situation difficult enough for Mahrez:
The reason why Mahrez could score this goal is because of the movement [of Erling Haaland]. Obviously, the goalkeeper is in a position where he needs a bad touch along the line so he can come out and close him down.
The two defenders are backing off, backing off - he doesn't actually have to do anything. He's running in a straight line all the way from the halfway line.
Egan's got a problem, Robinson I think should be getting closer to him - not worrying about what's on his right hand side.
Though all eyes were on the awe-inspiring goalscoring feats of Erling Haaland ahead of kick-off, it was Mahrez who stole the headlines with the first FA Cup semi-final hat-trick since 1958.
Manchester City's charge for a historic treble continues apace - with Keane confirming he would be "irritated" if City were to match his feats with United in 1999. City are also in to the Champions League semi-finals after dismantling Bayern Munich in the last eight. With Arsenal starting to crumble in the Premier League, City are hitting top class form at the right time, and it's hard to see anyone stopping them from claiming all three honours on offer for them between now and the end of the season.
Sunday's semi-final sees the other half of Manchester travel to London, with United facing off against Brighton and Hove Albion at 4:30pm. The winners will face City in the final on June 3 - with the prospect of a Manchester derby an enticing one for football fans.
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