Man City beats Sheffield United to keep treble dream alive

Riyad Mahrez scores a penalty for Man City during their FA Cup semifinals against Shieffield United.[Man City]

Three goals for Riyad Mahrez have protected Manchester City's bid for three trophies.

The Algerian forward's hat trick in a 3-0 win against Sheffield United on Saturday advanced City to the FA Cup final.

Having secured a place in the semifinals of the Champions League this week, Pep Guardiola's team took another step toward a treble with a routine victory at Wembley Stadium. The FA Cup final in June will be against Manchester United or Brighton.

City can also seize control of the English Premier League title race against leader Arsenal on Wednesday.

In City's current mood, it is difficult to see anyone stopping the defending league champion from emulating Manchester United's 1999 treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup glory.

Certainly not second-division side Sheffield, whose chance of an historic FA Cup shock was effectively ended in the 43rd minute when Mahrez struck from the penalty spot after Daniel Jebbison fouled Bernardo Silva in the box.

Mahrez doubled City's lead in the 61st when running straight through the heart of Sheffield's defense and firing past Wes Foderingham.

The third came five minutes later when turning home Jack Grealish's pass.

City was unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions and was not at its devastating best on Saturday, when leading scorer Erling Haaland failed to add to his 48 goals this season in a subdued performance.