Cherki’s 6-7, Haaland’s Greggs, managerial legend watching – 10 moments you might have missed from Man City 4-0 Liverpool
Cherki’s 6-7, Haaland’s Greggs, managerial legend watching – 10 moments you might have missed from Man City 4-0 Liverpool Erling Haaland returned to his most ruthless form with a clinical hat-trick as Manchester City dismantled an insipid Liverpool 4-0 to secure a record-extending eighth consecutive FA Cup semi-final. Watching from the stands while serving a touchline ban, Pep Guardiola witnessed his side build on their recent Carabao Cup triumph with a dominant display that left Arne Slot’s men looking toothless. The breakthrough arrived in the 38th minute when Haaland converted a penalty following Virgil van Dijk’s clumsy foul on Nico O’Reilly, before the Norwegian doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time by heading home a precise Antoine Semenyo cross.
Despite early creativity from Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s wastefulness proved fatal as Mohamed Salah – playing for the first time since announcing his impending summer exit – saw a golden opportunity blocked by Abdukodir Khusanov and a second-half penalty saved by James Trafford. Five Things Learned: Manchester City 4-0 Liverpool (FA Cup Quarter Final) Manchester City remained far more clinical, with Antoine Semenyo clipping in a delightful third shortly after the interval following a delightful Rayan Cherki through ball, before Erling Haaland completed his 28th career treble to seal progression into the last-four. This commanding victory kept Manchester City’s ambitions of a domestic cup double firmly on track as they prepare for a high-stakes return to Wembley later this month.
Aside from the obvious action on the pitch, there was plenty that you might have missed away from the football itself, with 10 moments spotted by eagle-eyed viewed around Saturday afternoon’s Etihad showdown. Man United legend in the stands Legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was one of the high-profile guests in attendance at the Etihad Stadium, watching on from the stands in hospitality – with Michael Carrick’s side out of the competition. Arsenal’s misery compounded Manchester City made sure to celebrate their League Cup success in front of their home supporters for the very first time, parading their Carabao Cup trophy as the two teams walked out ahead of kick-off.
Such celebrations were certainly made sweeter later in the evening, with Mikel Arteta’s side falling short to a late goal from former Manchester City academy star Shea Charles in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Championship side Southampton on the south coast. Pep Guardiola couldn’t contain himself Manchester City’s head coach Pep Guardiola was certainly animated even whilst watching from the stands due to the second game of a two-match touchline ban, seated alongside his daughter Maria and close by to the likes of Sverre Nypan and Max Alleyne. The Catalan tactician couldn’t believe his side weren’t awarded a penalty earlier in the contest when Rayan Cherki was brought down by Milos Kerkez, before celebrating wildly for the decision to grant a spot-kick for Virgil Van Dijk’s challenge on Nico O’Reilly.
A familiar number in the statistics file Those assessing the state of play at half-time will have noticed that Manchester City recorded an expected goals (xG) of 1. 15 in the first-half of the 4-0 win over Liverpool – which certainly raised a few smiles among fans given the number of charges the club faces for alleged breaches of financial rules in the Premier League. City fans rubbed salt in Slot’s wounds Many Manchester City fans will remember the tunes of Liverpool supporters last season at Anfield, claiming that Pep Guardiola could be ‘sacked in the morning’ as their run of difficult winter results was further compounded by the Reds.
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