Watford analysis: Heurelho Gomes denied dream ending as Gerard Deulofeu fails to recreate semi-final heroics

Watford’s FA Cup fairy-tale turned into a nightmare as they were on the receiving end of the joint-biggest final defeat in the competition’s history.

Manchester City were irresistible as they scored six without reply to complete a domestic treble, adding to their League Cup and Premier League crowns.

Watford’s first FA Cup final in 35 years ended in tears on an afternoon where they were simply outlcassed.

Simon Collings was at Wembley to provide analysis for Standard Sport.

If ever a match summed up the gap in wealth between City and those clubs outside the Premier League’s top six then this was it.

The champions’ bench had £240million’s worth of talent on it, which included the free signing of goalkeeper Aro Muric. To put that into context, Watford’s starting XI today was worth around a quarter of that.

Everyone knew going into this match that Javi Gracia’s side had an uphill battle, but the quality of City’s bench underlined just how hard their challenge really was.

The fact Pep Guardiola could bring on the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, who scored the third goal, highlights the massive financial gap between these two sides.

Watford battled bravely, but the result emphasised the gulf between these two sides. So much for the magic of the cup.

If this was to be Heurelho Gomes’ last game in football then this is not the way he would have wanted it to pan out.

The goalkeeper said in the build-up he was “99 per cent” sure he would retire after the FA Cup final, although Standard Sport understands he could yet make a u-turn on his future.

However, if this was the 38-year-old’s farewell it was a painful one. Gomes was brilliant in Watford’s run to the final, but there was little he could do to stop a rampant City.

The opener took a wicked deflection on the way in, while the second was a simple cut-back for Sterling to tap home. The third and fourth goals came from one-on-one chances and the Brazilian was left helpless - the same applied for the fifth and sixth. A day to forget for Gomes.

He was the hero against Wolves, but against a dominant City side there were to be no more heroics from Gerard Deulofeu.

Against Wolves, the Spaniard started on the bench but came on to change the game. This time, for the final, the 25-year-old was given the chance to show what he was capable of from the start.

Deulofeu was deployed out on the right, though, as Gracia opted to go with a 4-5-1 formation. Out there the forward, who is Watford’s top scorer, failed to sparkle on a difficult afternoon for him and his team-mates.

Against his former boss at Barcelona, Guardiola, he would have been keen to shine but it wasn’t to be.

Before today, it had been 35 years since Watford were in an FA Cup final and with that in mind this was always going to be a special day for them - no matter the result.

Unsurprisingly they descended on Wembley Way early - long before Manchester City fans were there. Everywhere you looked yellow shirts were all over the place as the club looked to win their first major trophy.

It was no different inside the stadium as the 30,000 Watford fans made themselves known from the first whistle.

Even at 5-0 down there was no stopping them too as they sung their hearts out. It was an indication of what this cup run, even though it has ended in defeat, has to meant the fans.

Not since 1984 had they been in an FA Cup final and it was day those at Wembley cherished, even with the result.