Manchester City go into FA Cup semis after 2-0 win over Newcastle
Manchester City go into FA Cup semis after 2-0 win over Newcastle
Erling Braut Haaland of Manchester City and Sven Botman and Martin Dubravka of Newcastle United in action on March 16, 2024, at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, UK. (Image: Chris Radburn/REUTERS)
MANCHESTER, England: Thanks to two deflected goals from Bernardo Silva, holders Manchester City easily advanced to the FA Cup semifinals, defeating a lackluster Newcastle United 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, March 16.
Newcastle offered little opposition as City, who made five changes from the starting lineup for the 1-1 Premier League tie with Liverpool last weekend, advanced to the competition's semi-finals for the sixth consecutive year.
The ball looped into the net in the 13th minute when a Silva effort deflected off Dan Burn, a Newcastle defender, and caught goalkeeper Martin Dubravka off guard. This gave City the lead.
Newcastle offered little opposition as City, who made five changes from the starting lineup for the 1-1 Premier League tie with Liverpool last weekend, advanced to the competition's semi-finals for the sixth consecutive year.
The ball looped into the net in the 13th minute when a Silva effort deflected off Dan Burn, a Newcastle defender, and caught goalkeeper Martin Dubravka off guard. This gave City the lead.
Newcastle United's Joe Willock in action with Manchester City's Ruben Dias at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, Britain on Mar 16, 2024. (Photo: Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)
In the 31st minute, Portuguese playmaker Silva scored the first goal for the home team, taking advantage of Sven Botman's head to help guide the ball past Dubravka once more.
In the 36th minute, Alexander Isak came dangerously close to tying the score, but Stefan Ortega made a fantastic save to his left to save the rebounding attempt from the Swedish striker. That turned out to be Newcastle's lone shot on goal during the match.
Eddie Howe lost patience with his faltering team just after the hour mark and made four substitutes. Miguel Almiron's arrival offered the visitors a much-needed burst of inventiveness in their assault, but the home team quickly responded.
In the 36th minute, Alexander Isak came dangerously close to tying the score, but Stefan Ortega made a fantastic save to his left to save the rebounding attempt from the Swedish striker. That turned out to be Newcastle's lone shot on goal during the match.
Eddie Howe lost patience with his faltering team just after the hour mark and made four substitutes. Miguel Almiron's arrival offered the visitors a much-needed burst of inventiveness in their assault, but the home team quickly responded.
While both Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland had numerous opportunities to score, boss Pep Guardiola won't be too concerned with their carelessness in front of goal because his team dominated the visitors from beginning to end.
"The team played well, we did exactly what the coach wanted us to do and we scored some nice goals, we scored some important goals, we defended well, we attacked well, so very happy," Doku said to the BBC.
"We were in control but you never know, you always have to be careful with counter-attacks ... but I think the defenders did very well and we came back to help them as well," he stated.
The semi-final draw will take place following Sunday's remaining quarter-final matches, which pit Chelsea against Leicester City and Manchester United against Liverpool. City will be drawn alongside Coventry City, who shocked Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the day with a 3-2 victory.
"We were in control but you never know, you always have to be careful with counter-attacks ... but I think the defenders did very well and we came back to help them as well," he stated.
The semi-final draw will take place following Sunday's remaining quarter-final matches, which pit Chelsea against Leicester City and Manchester United against Liverpool. City will be drawn alongside Coventry City, who shocked Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the day with a 3-2 victory.
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