Punters clean up at bookmakers’ expense on Manchester City’s FA Cup triumph

FA Cup Final,Roberto Mancini,Manchester City vs Stoke City

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British bookmaker William Hill weren’t doing cartwheels after Yaya Toure’s winner settled the FA Cup final in 90 minutes. Hill’s had been brave offering an industry best price of evens (2.0) on Manchester City to win the match in normal time.

The big spending Citizens duly delivered their first major trophy in 35 years, silencing their Manchester neighbours and leaving the bookies speechless.

“We opened up at even money in the morning and had to push the price out to 11/10 (2.10) at one point as punters steamed into Stoke for a shock win,” said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe

“We were rewarded with some 50 four-figure bets for City in 90 mins, although of the tens of thousands of 90 minute bets, just over half were for Stoke.”

Underdogs Stoke were trading as long as 4.50 (7/2) with Hill’s as many punters predicted an upset. Yaya Toure emulated his semi-final feat with a late winner 15 minutes from time to settle the contest.

“Big bets for City came in from as far afield as Australia – where we took a ten thousand Aussie dollar bet for them – and Denmark – another of 70,000 krone (over £8,000) at 11/10 (2.10).” – Graham Sharpe, William Hill

His goal broke Manchester United’s hopes of a treble last month but the Red Devils did come to the rescue for Hill’s. Sir Alex Ferguson’s record breakers only needed a point against Blackburn to secure a 19th title, which was priced @ 3.40 (12/5).

“It is fair to say we were made to pay for being top price, however, if one Manchester side caused us pain, another came to our rescue on the day, and United’s failure to beat Blackburn significantly helped to redress the balance over the afternoon,” added Sharpe.

A Hill’s internet client from Hertfordshire staked £2,000 on City at 15/2 (8.50) to win the FA Cup at the start of the season.

The FA Cup finalists meet again on Tuesday and City can leapfrog Arsenal in the table with a win. Aston Villa stunned the Emirates, inflicting the Gunners’ third defeat in four games, and Roberto Mancini’s team can move above the Gunners with another victory against Stoke.

Match Odds: Man City 1.44, Draw 4.0, Stoke City 8.0 (William Hill)

City are now favourites to grab the last automatic spot for next season’s Champions League.

Despite their FA Cup heartbreak Stoke City are guaranteed European football next season. Hill’s have the Potters @ 80/1 (81.0) to lift the trophy.

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