Manchester City Strikes Late To Seal FA Cup Progression
Late goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne sent Manchester City into the FA Cup semi-finals after a 2-0 win over a resilient Everton at Goodison Park.
City dominated possession but Everton defended deep in the first half and their third-choice keeper Joao Virginia made some fine saves to frustrate Pep Guardiola’s side. Everton came closest to opening the scoring as Yerry Mina’s glancing header was cleared off the line by City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko.
City increased the tempo in the second half, however, it was Everton forward Richardson who created a chance after he struck a half volley a yard wide of Steffen’s right-hand post.
The visitors should have scored at the other end as Fernandinho fought his way through two Everton challenges, before finding Sterling unmarked in the box. The England man failed to connect properly with his shot as Virginia got the slightest touch to divert it wide.
After City midfielder Phil Foden missed a chance, City finally scored the opening goal with six minutes remaining. Gundogan reacted fastest to head the ball into an empty net after Virginia had tipped Aymeric Laporte’s effort onto the crossbar.
The German midfielder has been in blistering form for the Cityzens, scoring his 16th goal of the season.
City brought in reinforcements from the bench in Rodri, De Bruyne and Mahrez, and all three were involved in the second goal to kill the game off.
De Bruyne latched onto Rodri’s through ball and fired past goalkeeper Virginia to seal the result. Everton protested that a foul should have been awarded to them when Mahrez made a dangerous challenge before the build-up to the goal, but the referee waved away the protests.
The result means City have won 25 of their last 26 games as they remain on course for a Quadruple of trophies, while Everton’s 26-year wait for a major trophy goes on.
The draw for the FA Cup semi-finals will be made on Sunday evening.
FULL TIME | A massive win!
