Mario Balotelli's wink sparks a riot: Clashes mar Manchester City's Wembley triumph

Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final victory over neighbours United descended into chaos on Saturday evening, with a series of clashes between the players that will surely bring a Football Association investigation.

Italian firebrand Mario Balotelli appeared to spark the melee after a historic 1-0 victory for City at Wembley. First, the striker incensed some of Sir Alex Ferguson's players by celebrating in front of United fans, then he drew Rio Ferdinand into a row by winking at the United and England defender.

Eye of the storm: Rio Ferdinand reacts badly to Mario Balotelli's cheeky taunt

Ferdinand was enraged and in the resulting chaos he clashed with City coach David Platt, the former England midfielder.

City manager Roberto Mancini attempted to make light of the ugly exchanges, saying: 'I didn't see it. I want to wait because every time people say "it's Balotelli's fault".'

Cool it: City boss Roberto Mancini and coach David Platt hold Ferdinand back

When the incident was described to him, Mancini joked: 'We can put him in jail? Next week, we can put him in jail for this.'

City reached the FA Cup final for the first time in 30 years thanks to Yaya Toure's 52nd-minute goal, which also robbed United of a second dream Treble of FA Cup, European Cup and League to match the club's momentous 1999 achievement.



But the match was also marred by a disgraceful, high challenge by Paul Scholes on City's Argentinian defender Pablo Zabaleta, for which the former England star received a straight red card in the 71st minute.



And at the end Ferdinand, who had dashed back to Manchester in the early hours of Saturday morning for the birth of his third child, was forced down the tunnel while City's players were left to celebrate on the pitch.



In front of millions of TV viewers, what should have been a celebration of the best in English football degenerated into an embarrassing finish to the first semi-final. Bolton take on Stoke later today for the right to play City in the May 14 final.



Ferguson said the challenge which saw Scholes sent off was a 'red-mist moment'. The United boss added: 'Paul has had unbelievable moments over his career but he has his red-mist moments. He caught the boy.'



City goalkeeper Joe Hart said: 'This victory means the world to us. Look at us, the boys are over the moon, so are the fans and the staff, but nothing has been won yet. It was a fantastic goal.'



On the Balotelli clash, Hart added: 'I didn't see it but I couldn't care less. It's all about this team.'

That's enough: Manchester City coach David Platt holds back Anderson as Balotelli is ushered away

Hart's opposite number, Edwin van der Sar, said: 'I think he [Balotelli] misunderstood which side of the stadium he had to go to so he could thank the supporters. Maybe in Italy they do things differently, but let's just talk about the football. I won't lose any sleep over losing this game but I'm disappointed. It's a semi-final and that's not what you want at this stage of the season.'



City's winner came when Toure punished a bad error by Michael Carrick. Toure dedicated his goal to his brother and City team-mate Kolo Toure, who is currently suspended pending a hearing into his failed drugs test.



'I am very sad for him at this moment in time,' said the former Barcelona star. 'He is a professional player and he wants to play. People make mistakes sometimes. It is part of life. It is part of sport. Mentally, he is a strong guy. He is the most important person in my life.

Who, me? Balotelli pleads innocence but Anderson, Ferdinand and Evra take exception to the Italian's conduct

'Every time I speak with him he helps me. I dedicate this win to him and the fans.'

Kolo Toure will still be absent when City attempt to end their 35-year major trophy drought. They will do so on the 30th anniversary of their last appearance in the final, when they lost to Tottenham in a replay made memorable by Ricky Villa's superb solo goal.



Getting shirty: Balotelli taunts the United supporters in the lead-up to the ugly scenes at the final whistle

Toure accepts that nothing has been achieved yet. 'I am very happy,' he said. 'We have beaten our big rivals, which is fantastic, and we are going to enjoy it.



'I am really happy for the fans. They have been waiting 35 years for a trophy. It is a long time. I think this is going to be the year for Manchester City. But it is not finished. We have to take a second step.

'I am not bothered about who we play. They both have enough quality to win the FA Cup but we will be very hard to beat.'



City also have a top-four place to try to secure, which Toure accepts is an equally important goal. 'It is our target to reach the Champions League and we are working for that,' he said. 'We want to win something. We all want to be part of the story of this club.'



United manager Ferguson will seek solace by readjusting his sights to his main target of the season - a record-breaking 19th league title.



Tuesday evening's visit to Newcastle United will see the return of suspended striker Wayne Rooney, who was badly missed. Dimitar Berbatov, denied by the excellent Hart early on, was left to rue an incredible miss seconds later when he shot over the bar from just two yards.



