FA Cup final updates from Wembley, 5pm BST kick-offVincent Kompany: ‘Setbacks, racism – everything fed my fire’And feel free to email Barry or tweet him @bglendenning 3.40pm BST A place in Europe up for grabs. If City win today, Wolves will qualify for the Europa League by dint of their seventh place finish in the Premier League. The Molineux outfit would go into the second qualifying round, which starts on 25 July. A City win would also send Manchester United straight into the group stages.However, should Watford triumph today, they would qualify for the Europa League group stages and United would have to settle for a place in the qualifiers on a date they currently have marked down for a friendly with Tottenham Hotspur in Shanghai. A Watford win would also rule Wolves out of any kind of European adventure. 3.39pm BST There will be VAR: Kevin Friend is refereeing today’s game and the official from Leicester will be able to call on a team of video assistants led by his fellow ref Andre Marriner, should he feel the need to do so. Should today’s final go to extra time, both teams will be allowed to introduce a fourth substitute. 3.39pm BST Early team news: Watford defender Jose Holebas is available after having the red card he was shown against West Ham last Sunday overturned. Winger Gerard Deulofeu is also expected to start for the Hornets, after recovering from a dead leg he suffered in the same game. Having played in each of Watford’s FA Cup games to date this season, back-up goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is expected to start instead of Ben Foster. Despite Gomes having said he is ready to retire from football and become a pastor at the end of this season, Watford’s manager hopes to persuade the popular Brazilian to sign up for one more season. For City, Benjamin Mendy has been ruled out as he continues to struggle for full fitness since returning from a serious knee injury in April. Fernandinho is available for selection for the matchday squad after his own return from injury, but is not expected to start. Kevin De Bruyne is also available, having come on as a substitute in City’s title-clinching win over Brighton on Sunday. Related: Watford to ask veteran Heurelho Gomes for one more year after FA Cup final 3.39pm BST Related: At home with Vincent Kompany: 'Setbacks, racism – everything fed my fire' 1.45pm BST With the Premier League title and Carabao Cup already in the bag, Manchester City hope to conclude their season with victory in the FA Cup final to complete an unprecedented domestic treble in the men’s game. The job of trying to stop them rests with Watford, who have never won a major trophy and last contested an FA Cup final – the first in their history – in 1984.On that occasion, Graham Taylor’s team of John Barnes, Kenny Jackett, Mo Johnston and Steve Sherwood, among others, lost 2-0 against Everton. Managed by Javier Gracia and skippered by Troy Deeney, the Watford of today go into today’s game as massive underdogs . much like Wigan Athletic when they defied the odds to see off City in the 2013 FA Cup final. It can be done. Related: Troy Deeney ready for FA Cup final battle with ‘beast’ Vincent Kompany Continue readingreadfullarticle
