Paul Cartmell Memorial Trophy Final

Aardvark Abacus 1
Trippier [c]

v

Real Muppets 4
Sterling 1
Mane 61
Milivojevic 80
Bellerin 90+2

(no cancelled cleans)

At Wembley   Att: 90,000

Teams

Aardvarks: Cech; Jagielka, Stephens, Trippier, Reid; Van La Parra, Davis, Son, Herrera; Batshuayi, Lacazette       Subs: Pickford; Dunk; McCarthy; Niasse

Muppets: Ederson; Chambers, Koscielny, Bellerin, Christensen; De Bruyne, Sterling, Mane, Propper; Mounie, Okazaki   Subs: Caballero; Kelly; Milivojevic; Sturridge

Two of this season’s high-flyers were pitched together in the final. The Muppets have been firing goals in on a consistent basis - the Aardvark defenders have been doing the business for Ady. Something had to give.

It was the Aardvark defence. After 38 seconds. Raheem Sterling was given far too much space at the back post and side-footed in to give Ryan’s team an early lead. The Aardvarks tried to respond and their best hope seemed to come from Alexandre Lacazette but the Frenchman was denied by the Muppets’ keeper. It stayed 1-0 at the break.

The second goal was going to be crucial and it came on the hour. Sadio Mane provided the stunning turn and shot from the edge of the box to double the Muppets’ lead on the hour. The game now started to run away from Ady’s team. Luka Milivojevic, on as sub for Kevin de Bruyne, curled in from 25 yards with ten minutes left. There was still time for Hector Bellerin to crash in a half volley in injury time to stretch the lead to four. Kieran Tripper’s clean for the Aardvarks was only a footnote.

Ryan claims his first trophy since the FA Cup in 2007/8, Ady’s shocking run in PCMT Finals goes on and now stands at six defeats since his last win.