[4][5] The final took place on 14 May 2011 at Wembley Stadium in London in front of 88,643 spectators and a British television audience of more than eight million.

Manchester City made an unconvincing start, contesting two replays against lower league opposition in the third and fourth rounds but gained momentum and kept three consecutive clean sheets en route to the final.

[10] Manchester City began the match the brighter of the two teams with the majority of possession and a number of shots forcing saves from goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen but the first half remained goalless.

Stoke improved after the half-time interval but failed to score from their only shot on target in the 62nd minute, which was saved by goalkeeper Joe Hart after a one-on-one with striker Kenwyne Jones.

Manchester City took the lead by half-time through James Milner and Carlos Tevez, but Andy King equalised midway through the second half to make the score 2–2.

On a pitch described by the BBC as "pudding-like", lower division County threatened an upset when Neal Bishop scored from a corner in the 59th minute.

Villa manager Gérard Houllier rested several senior players, in contrast to a near full-strength Manchester City line-up.

[26] Manchester City took the lead after less than five minutes through Yaya Touré, and further goals from Mario Balotelli and David Silva resulted in a comfortable 3–0 win.

[27] In the sixth round, Manchester City were again at home, and faced Reading, the only non-Premier League team left in the competition.

[31] Michael Chopra gave Cardiff an early lead, but Stoke's Tuncay Şanlı levelled the score just before half time.

[34] In the added period, Jonathan Walters scored twice to secure a 2–0 Stoke City win; the first goal was a header from a corner,[34] the second a near-post rebound.

[33] Stoke City then travelled to fellow Midlands team Wolverhampton Wanderers for the fourth round, in one of five all-Premier League ties.

Matthew Etherington was adjudged to have been fouled by Scott Parker though, as the BBC correspondent wrote, "there appeared to be minimal contact".

[45] The 2011 final faced scheduling problems and the match clashed with top flight League fixtures for the first time since 1934, which disappointed football traditionalists.

Therefore, the FA Cup final had to be moved forward, and for the first time since 1989 was played before the English football domestic season ended.

This prompted criticism from Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, whose team was challenging Manchester City for a place in the 2011–12 Champions League.

[52] Consequently, some supporters felt aggrieved at the lack of tickets,[53] including Stoke City chairman Peter Coates who expressed his disappointment and suggested an allocation in the region of 30,000 for both clubs.

[51][55] As for every match in the 2010–11 FA Cup, the ball for the final was provided by Nike-owned, Manchester-based sports equipment company Umbro.

[56] The traditional Cup Final hymn, "Abide with Me", was sung by Tenors Unlimited, a trio of male vocalists, and former X Factor contestant Stacey Solomon performed the national anthem, "God Save the Queen".

[61] Manchester City set up in a 4–2–3–1 formation,[62] with Mario Balotelli, David Silva and Yaya Touré playing behind lone striker Carlos Tevez, and Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry in defensive midfield roles.

[63] Stoke City set up in a rigid 4–4–2 formation, with two wingers in Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington[64] to support strikers Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters.

Despite Yaya Touré clinching the winning goal, enigmatic striker Mario Balotelli – who claimed he had a "shit" season in a post-match interview[67] – was named man of the match for his efforts.

[69] Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron awarded the medals to individual players at Wembley Stadium.

[70] Presenting the trophy was British Army Corporal Mark Ward, a lifelong Manchester City supporter who served in Afghanistan and whose bravery was rewarded with the Military Cross.

[80] Despite it being Manchester City's final home game of the season, they postponed their homecoming celebrations until the post-season out of respect for the opposition.

[84] The parade finally reached Ashton New Road where thousands supporters were waiting at the gates of the City of Manchester Stadium to welcome the team home.