Kevin Friend appointed as referee for FA Cup final between Manchester City and Watford

Kevin Friend has been appointed as referee for the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Watford at Wembley on May 18.

The Premier League referee will officiate his second Wembley showpiece after he was also in charge of the League Cup final between Swansea and Bradford in 2013.

City, who won the League Cup after a penalty shootout victory against Chelsea in February, remain in contention for a domestic treble while Watford are targeting a first major trophy.

The Premier League leaders defeated Brighton 1-0 in the semi-finals earlier this month while Gerard Deulofeu helped inspire Watford to a thrilling extra-time 3-2 victory against Wolves as they reached the final for the first time since 1984.

"As a referee, the FA Cup final is the pinnacle of your career. When you start out you never dream that you're going to get the chance to take charge of a cup final, so to get the call this year is just fantastic," Friend said.

"Every referee has goals and targets. There are certain games you want to be a part of and the FA Cup final is definitely on that list.

"No matter what game it is, no referee can do it all on their own - it's all about the team. This is a huge honour for us all and I'm really looking forward to it."

Friend, who has been part of the Select Group Referees since 2009, will be joined by assistant referees Constantine Hatzidakis and Matthew Wilkes, fourth official Graham Scott and reserve assistant referee Edward Smart.

Andre Marriner, who was in charge of the FA Cup final in 2013, will be the video assistant referee [VAR] for the match.