By Ian Ladyman for the Daily Mail
Published: 22:30 BST, 5 April 2019 | Updated: 22:45 BST, 5 April 2019
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It pays to be objective in this line of work but nevertheless it is difficult not to break with the code and root for an unlikely Brighton victory at Wembley.
We thank Manchester City for the beauty and thrill of their football and it may be that one day we thank them for delivering Phil Foden safely to the heart of the England team too.
We wish them — and all the English clubs — well in the Champions League and if they see off Liverpool and claim a back-to-back title for the first time in their history then nobody will say they do not deserve it.
Man City are a beautiful team to watch and no one could argue if they went on to win the title
But for the health of our game and for the future good of the FA Cup, this evening it would not be unwelcome to see Pep Guardiola's team defeated.
Only twice in the last 11 seasons has a club outside the accepted elite won the competition, Wigan in 2013 and Portsmouth in 2008.
Prior to that, only Everton's triumph in 1995 broke a Liverpool/Manchester United/Chelsea/Arsenal hegemony that stretched back to Tottenham's success in the Gazza final of 1991.
So if we are not to see
