Winning FA Cup massively important for City

Guardiola eyes silver lining to season

- By ANDY HAMPSON

PEP GUARDIOLA feels it is “massively important” for Manchester City to win the FA Cup.

City have had to read-just their targets this season after failing to defend their Premier League title and exiting the Champions League prematurely.

Guardiola’s side are hoping to salvage something from a disappointing campaign by beating Crystal Palace in Saturday’s final at Wembley and securing a top-five spot next week.

City manager Guardiola said: “That is now the problem, right? The FA Cup now is not the first choice.

“Of course, we want it. Once we are there, we want to lift the trophy. Of course it’s really massively important.”

While City are bidding to win the 19th trophy of Guardiola’s reign and their third FA Cup under the Spaniard - Palace are targeting the first in their club’s history.