Joe Hart 7
Limited in his involvement as Manchester City dominated possession, but was still alert to smother a second-half shot when Kenwyne Jones got behind the defence.
Micah Richards 6
Missed an early headed chance and, with Matthew Etherington offering only a very limited threat down the left, was able to frequently push forward in support of David Silva.
Vincent Kompany 7
Made an important first-half block to deny Jones and, such was City’s initial dominance, he also offered an attacking threat. Weakly side-footed one good chance into Thomas Sorensen's arms.
Joleon Lescott 6
Initially a spectator but looked defensively suspect when Stoke did impart some pressure. Was easily shaken off the ball as Jones muscled his way into a goalscoring position during the second-half.
Aleksandar Kolarov 6
Pushing forward at every opportunity and produced one first-half cross which was almost deflected in by Ryan Shawcross. Got into good positions, but often wasteful with his delivery.
Nigel de Jong 7
Helped Manchester City generally control the midfield and also produced several defence-splitting passes. Only occasionally got forward and skewed one good chance wide.
Gareth Barry 6
Quietly kept possession and rarely wasted a pass, although unable to inject any pace or incision into City’s play. Substituted mid-way through the second-half.
David Silva 6
Wasted one especially inviting chance when he volleyed into the ground and over with the goal at his mercy, but played an important part in the winning goal.
Yaya Toure 7
Almost scored one of the great FA Cup final goals with 30-yard shot that fizzed inches wide and was then clinical in blasting the winner past Sorensen.
Mario Balotelli 8
Excellent in both his link-up play and final ball. Forced an outstanding save from Sorensen with curling first-half shot and began the move for Manchester City’s winning goal.
Carlos Tevez 7
Quickly eased any doubts about his fitness by cutting inside and forcing an early Sorensen save. Frequently dropped deep and was the catalyst for much of City’s best attacking play.
SUBSTITUTES
Adam Johnson provided a far more direct threat when he replaced Garry Barry, while Pablo Zabaleta and Patrick Vieira were also introduced as City showed poise and experience in effectively protecting their lead.
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STOKE CITY
Thomas Sorensen 7
Made an exceptional first-half save to deny Mario Balotelli and was also alert to deny both Carlos Tevez and Aleksandar Kolarov. Could do little to prevent Yaya Toure’s powerful finish.
Andy Wilkinson 5
Had an especially difficult afternoon against the movement and quality down City’s left, although did briefly lift Stoke with a full-blooded tackle on Kolorav.
Robert Huth 6
Extremely fortunate not to attract more severe punishment for a stray first-half elbow on Balotelli. Was later deservedly cautioned for a challenge on Micah Richards.
Ryan Shawcross 7
Almost sliced one attempted first-half clearance into his own goal but held the Stoke defence together admirably for long periods of sustained Manchester City pressure.
Marc Wilson 6
Largely got the better of Silva down Manchester City’s right, but was partially culpable for the decisive goal after missing a half-chance to clear the danger.
Jermaine Pennant 7
The only Stoke player who offered a genuine first-half threat. Took several knocks to his foot and ankle but lasted the full 90 minutes and offered continual threat.
Rory Delap 5
Stoke were initially camped inside their own half, leaving little opportunity for Rory Delap to unleash the trademark long-throw. Was eventually sacrificed as Tony Pulis searched in vain for an equaliser.
Glenn Whelan 6
Stoke were completely overrun in midfield throughout the first-half, although Glenn Whelan’s resistance and impact did increase as the match wore on.
Matthew Etherington 4
Pulis gambled on Etherington's selection to offer some added creativity down the left but he was clearly not match fit following a hamstring injury and his impact was minimal.
Kenwyne Jones 6
With Pennant, he was the only Stoke player who really threatened the City goal. Forced crucial blocks either side of half-time from Vincent Kompany and then Joe Hart.
Jonathan Walters 5
Worked hard, but saw precious little of the ball as City out-manoeuvred Stoke in midfield. Created a half-chance for Jones but was otherwise anonymous.
SUBSTITUTES
Dean Whitehead came on for Etherington and John Carew replaced Delap, but Stoke lacked sufficient creative quality from the bench to alter the pattern of the match and knock Manchester City out of their stride.
Limited in his involvement as Manchester City dominated possession, but was still alert to smother a second-half shot when Kenwyne Jones got behind the defence.
Micah Richards 6
Missed an early headed chance and, with Matthew Etherington offering only a very limited threat down the left, was able to frequently push forward in support of David Silva.
Vincent Kompany 7
Made an important first-half block to deny Jones and, such was City’s initial dominance, he also offered an attacking threat. Weakly side-footed one good chance into Thomas Sorensen's arms.
Joleon Lescott 6
Initially a spectator but looked defensively suspect when Stoke did impart some pressure. Was easily shaken off the ball as Jones muscled his way into a goalscoring position during the second-half.
Aleksandar Kolarov 6
Pushing forward at every opportunity and produced one first-half cross which was almost deflected in by Ryan Shawcross. Got into good positions, but often wasteful with his delivery.
Nigel de Jong 7
Helped Manchester City generally control the midfield and also produced several defence-splitting passes. Only occasionally got forward and skewed one good chance wide.
Gareth Barry 6
Quietly kept possession and rarely wasted a pass, although unable to inject any pace or incision into City’s play. Substituted mid-way through the second-half.
David Silva 6
Wasted one especially inviting chance when he volleyed into the ground and over with the goal at his mercy, but played an important part in the winning goal.
Yaya Toure 7
Almost scored one of the great FA Cup final goals with 30-yard shot that fizzed inches wide and was then clinical in blasting the winner past Sorensen.
Mario Balotelli 8
Excellent in both his link-up play and final ball. Forced an outstanding save from Sorensen with curling first-half shot and began the move for Manchester City’s winning goal.
Carlos Tevez 7
Quickly eased any doubts about his fitness by cutting inside and forcing an early Sorensen save. Frequently dropped deep and was the catalyst for much of City’s best attacking play.
SUBSTITUTES
Adam Johnson provided a far more direct threat when he replaced Garry Barry, while Pablo Zabaleta and Patrick Vieira were also introduced as City showed poise and experience in effectively protecting their lead.
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STOKE CITY
Thomas Sorensen 7
Made an exceptional first-half save to deny Mario Balotelli and was also alert to deny both Carlos Tevez and Aleksandar Kolarov. Could do little to prevent Yaya Toure’s powerful finish.
Andy Wilkinson 5
Had an especially difficult afternoon against the movement and quality down City’s left, although did briefly lift Stoke with a full-blooded tackle on Kolorav.
Robert Huth 6
Extremely fortunate not to attract more severe punishment for a stray first-half elbow on Balotelli. Was later deservedly cautioned for a challenge on Micah Richards.
Ryan Shawcross 7
Almost sliced one attempted first-half clearance into his own goal but held the Stoke defence together admirably for long periods of sustained Manchester City pressure.
Largely got the better of Silva down Manchester City’s right, but was partially culpable for the decisive goal after missing a half-chance to clear the danger.
Jermaine Pennant 7
The only Stoke player who offered a genuine first-half threat. Took several knocks to his foot and ankle but lasted the full 90 minutes and offered continual threat.
Rory Delap 5
Stoke were initially camped inside their own half, leaving little opportunity for Rory Delap to unleash the trademark long-throw. Was eventually sacrificed as Tony Pulis searched in vain for an equaliser.
Glenn Whelan 6
Stoke were completely overrun in midfield throughout the first-half, although Glenn Whelan’s resistance and impact did increase as the match wore on.
Matthew Etherington 4
Pulis gambled on Etherington's selection to offer some added creativity down the left but he was clearly not match fit following a hamstring injury and his impact was minimal.
Kenwyne Jones 6
With Pennant, he was the only Stoke player who really threatened the City goal. Forced crucial blocks either side of half-time from Vincent Kompany and then Joe Hart.
Jonathan Walters 5
Worked hard, but saw precious little of the ball as City out-manoeuvred Stoke in midfield. Created a half-chance for Jones but was otherwise anonymous.
SUBSTITUTES
Dean Whitehead came on for Etherington and John Carew replaced Delap, but Stoke lacked sufficient creative quality from the bench to alter the pattern of the match and knock Manchester City out of their stride.
