Kick-off time change for 2022/23 FA Cup final confirmed

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Kick-off time change for 2022/23 FA Cup final confirmed

The 2022/23 FA Cup final on June 3 will kick off at 15:00 BST, marking the earliest start time for the yearly Wembley clash in 12 years.

Originally expected to begin between 16:45 and 17:30, the London Metropolitan Police has categorised the clash between Manchester United and Manchester City derby as high-risk, citing security concerns, and objected to a later start.

The FA did not attempt to contest the police advice and accepted the decision despite later kick-offs being more attractive to both broadcasters and advertisers.

The Met Police had previously rescheduled the Premier League game between Arsenal and Chelsea at short notice due to security concerns.

This year's FA Cup final will be the first between the two Manchester teams and the time swap should make travelling to London easier for both sets of fans.

City kept their dreams of a historic treble alive as Riyad Mahrez scored the first hat-trick in an FA Cup semi-final since 1958.

City outclassed Sheffield United at Wembley, with Mahrez opening the scoring from the penalty spot two minutes before half-time after a foul by Daniel Jebbison on Bernardo Silva.

The Algerian then scored his second of the game just after the hour with a brilliant solo effort, before completing his hat-trick with a finish from Jack Grealish's cross on 66 minutes.

Manchester United secured their place in the FA Cup final after a tense penalty shootout against Brighton.

The match ended goalless after extra time, with United defender Victor Lindelof scoring the decisive spot-kick after Brighton's Solly March missed the target.