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Three Takeaways: Manchester City into FA Cup Quarterfinals

By J.C. Gonzalez

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City and Liam Palmer of Sheffield Wednesday during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester City at Hillsborough on March 4, 2020 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City and Liam Palmer of Sheffield Wednesday during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester City at Hillsborough on March 4, 2020 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City went into Hillsborough, thoroughly controlled the match, and handled a defiant Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 to march into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.

Manchester City’s FA Cup defense continued with a fifth round victory against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

City were commanding throughout the match, holding 80% of the ball and registering 20 shots compared to just one for Wednesday. However, City were perhaps a bit complacent with just the one goal, scored controversially by Sergio Agüero to send the Citizens into the quarterfinals.

1. The FA Cup needs VAR uniformity

The lack of VAR went in City’s favor today, but in my opinion, it should not be used at all in the competition, even at a Premier League ground where it is available. The location of the match should not affect its rules, and its completely unrealistic to expect lower league sides to have the technology available. In all likelihood, City’s winner would have been ruled out for offside at the Etihad, so VAR’s absence was favorable from a City perspective, but had Wednesday scored a controversial goal themselves, it would have been inconsistent and unfair as the match’s location altered the rules, and Wednesday could easily feel hard done by.

2. City need intensity

In matches with little importance this season, especially in the league, City have not played up to their best due to a lack of incentive. When the lights are brightest, however, unlike in recent seasons, this team has risen to the occasion to put in some of their best performances of the year, such as the Real Madrid win and Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United.

In this game, City looked disinterested for large stretches, and the game was goalless for over 45 minutes before Pep Guardiola came to the touchline barking orders and essentially willing the ball into the back of the net. This team is better when the pressure’s on, which goes against the old “typical City” trope, but feels very encouraging.

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3. Into the next round

City’s FA Cup defense continues. After having successfully defended one cup for the second straight season, City are into the quarterfinals of the other as their English dominance under Guardiola continues. Thusfar, Leicester, Norwich, Chelsea, Arsenal, Sheffield United, and Newcastle will join the Citizens in the quarters, with one of Man United and Derby County to join them.