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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Rich Jones

Raheem Sterling's response to question of whether he scored FA Cup final hat-trick

Raheem Sterling starred as Manchester City won the FA Cup with a 6-0 thrashing against Watford at Wembley.

But there was confusion over whether or not the England star had made history by becoming just the fourth player to score an FA Cup Final hat-trick.

Sterling bagged twice in the second half onslaught but the doubt surrounded City's second goal, when Sterling slammed a Gabriel Jesus effort into the back of the net as it crossed the line.

The goal was provisionally given to Jesus and after further scrutiny by VAR the Brazilian was confirmed as the goalscorer.

It denied Sterling a spot in the record books as the first player since Stan Mortensen in 1953 to bag a hat-trick in the huge game.

Speaking after the match, the attacker branded the day a "dream come true" - but admitted he had disputed the goal being given to his team-mate!

Sterling appeared to claim the hat-trick with a three-finger gesture after his last goal (Getty Images)

Manchester City 6-0 Watford: 6 talking points as Pep Guardiola's men make history

"I've disputed it!" Sterling said. "What can we do?"

"The boys were brilliant today and my goals just added to the win.

"Everyone was fantastic. Kevin (De Bruyne) came on and done an absolute madness as I would say.

"Credit to all the boys today. It's been a fantastic year.

"Growing up here, growing up seeing this get built, it's a dream to be on this football field and winning trophies. It's a massive dream come true.

Gabriel Jesus was awarded Man City's second goal after scrutiny (Richard Heathcote)

What Man City's FA Cup win means for European qualification from Premier League

"It just shows what the manager is building here. He came in at the start of the season and told us to get the mentality right and try to go for the Premier League again.

"We've done that again and done it exceptionally well.

"It's just credit to the boys to be mentally switched on all season. It's been a long season, with the World Cup as well, and I'm just happy that everyone has been focused and on their A-game all the way through."

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