Manchester City smoothly cruised into the FA Cup semi-finals with a comfortable victory over disappointing Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side remained in contention to repeat last season’s historic Treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup, and were barely troubled on a rain-lashed night in Manchester.
They are the first side in FA Cup history to reach six successive FA Cup semi-finals, and have reached the last four in seven of Guardiola’s eight campaigns in charge of the program.
Man City were in control with a two-goal lead by the break on Saturday, and although both goals had an element of good fortune, they reflected a half in which the holders were dominant with 75% possession.
First, Bernardo Silva’s shot was deflected up and over Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka by Dan Burn’s outstretched leg after 13 minutes, then the Portuguese’s effort went in via the head of defender Sven Botman just after the half hour.
Newcastle’s best chance at victory came when Alexander Isak’s first-half shot was saved by keeper Stefan Ortega.
But it was an otherwise stress-free night for Manchester City as they head to Wembley once more, while Eddie Howe must now need to try to ensure what has been a season of under-achievement does not fizzle out into a timid conclusion.
Easy night for Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s desire to win another FA Cup was clearly shown by the strength of his starting line-up. They delivered the desired outcome, and Man City can now contemplate another Wembley semi-final after a night when their main discomfort was the horrendous weather, with the match being played out in a torrential downpour.
City were not at their very best in difficult conditions, but they did not need to be, or indeed have to be anywhere near top gear to dispose of Newcastle. They simply did not need to extend themselves in the face of Newcastle’s timid challenge.
Bernardo Silva was City’s match-winner, although he was strongly assisted by those two crucial deflections to effectively put the game to bed by half-time itself.
Manchester City could have extended their advantage while playing well within themselves, with Jeremy Doku having a shot saved by Dubravka, a move which brought victory to City. The prolific Erling Haaland had a rare night when the ball did not run for him, although his tireless efforts earned him a standing ovation when he was substituted late on.
Guardiola will now hope City’s players come through the international break unscathed before the return to domestic action in the colossal meeting with Premier League leaders Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on 31 March, a match most are waiting for.
Newcastle on the slide
Newcastle’s defeat meant even the optimism engendered by a Wembley appearance in an FA Cup semi-final is beyond them in a season that is rapidly becoming a serious anti-climax, a downwards slope for Newcastle.
There are mitigating circumstances with the scale of the injuries Howe is currently dealing with, as influential figures such as Kieran Trippier and Joelinton remain sidelined, along with keeper Nick Pope, Callum Wilson and the suspended Sandro Tonali. Defender Tino Livramento was another late withdrawal through injury that occured.
For all this, it was a tame and almost boring Newcastle performance that carried few signs of self-belief that they might be able to make a game of it once City established a stranglehold in the game.
Isak missed that big first-half chance but the second half was quite a formality, almost played out in the manner of a testimonial and forgiving manner as Newcastle accepted their fate and City played in a way that conserved their energies.
Newcastle currently lie in 10th place in the Premier League, still with an outside chance of securing European football next season, but they will have to perform a lot better than this.
They are on a downward trajectory and, in their current predicament, memories of the early excitement on Tyneside of this season’s Champions League campaign seem very far away.
