City parade their FA Cup triumph

Manchester City have celebrated their drought-breaking FA Cup win with an open-top bus parade through the streets of Manchester on Monday.

The Sky Blues defeated Stoke City 1-0 in the final at Wembley earlier this month, securing the club’s first major trophy in 35 years and sparking scenes of wild celebration in the city.

An estimated 10,000 people lined the streets in support of the players and manager Roberto Mancini, who also led the club to their maiden Champions League berth with a third-place finish in the English Premier League this term.

Mancini was taken aback by the level of support at the parade.

“I’m enjoying it for our supporters. I’m surprised because I didn’t think there would be as many people as this,” he said.

Belgian defender Vincent Kompany predicted big things to come for the club, telling fans the challenge now was to close the gap on cross-town rivals and league champions Manchester United.

“I’m really proud – it is a big achievement you know,” Kompany said.

“It is not just about winning the FA Cup and getting further, it’s especially about the fact that it hasn’t happened for 35 years at this club.”

“It’s definitely a sign of intent for what we want to achieve at this club so I’m very happy about it. I hope this is the first of many.”

Assistant manager Brian Kidd, who made more than 200 appearances for United in his days as a striker, said the club are ready to juggle the Premier League with life in Europe’s top-tier competition.

“Well it’s like everything, I think we will have to prioritise again,” Kidd said.

“For me the Premier League is our bread and butter. I always feel our aim is to do well in the Premier League.”

“With the players that we have got we will have to prioritise, the Champions League, the Premier League, the (FA) Cup and the Carling Cup.”

Temperamental striker Mario Balotelli was absent from the parade, having been given permission by Mancini to return to his native Italy for personal reasons.