Newcastle 0 Manchester City 2 : Semi Final Awaits
By David Crook
Manchester City faced Newcastle in the FA Cup Quarter Final at St James Park.
There were times in this game where Newcastle were socially distanced from the ball for long periods. Manchester City fizzed the ball around and retained total match control throughout the first half.
Quite why it took the goal so long to arrive was a mystery. 15 shots on target in the first half alone but it took a penalty, following a foul on Gabriel Jesus to open the scoring.
A bit of game playing by the Newcastle defenders seemed an organised attempt to put pressure upon the City penalty takeer, Kevin de Bruyne.
More from Man City Square
- Rodri believes City can have even more success this season
- Grealish, Stones, and Kovacic will NOT play tomorrow
- My Manchester City UCL Group Stage predictions
- After Injury Guardiola is back in Etihad
- Phil Foden Scores Opener for England Against Scotland
Whilst the players wasted time, De Bruyne kept his own counsel and duly despatched the resulting penalty.
Newcastle offered little beyond a kick and rush and 11 players behind the ball.
In the second half Newcastle made a couple of tactical changes and City allowed their first half intensity to drop. A general sloppiness crept into the City passing.
Newcastle had a gilt edged chance to equalise but somehow Dwight Gale conspired to miss from 6 foot. City made two changes in response to freshen up their play.
Foden and Bernardo Silva came on and almost instantly City scored a 2nd goal. This goal saw a trademark left foot cross pitch pass by Laporte to Foden and Sterling still had much to do, curling in a shot from the edge of the penalty area.
City withdrew Walker and De Bruyne and the result was set. The clock ticked down and City kept the ball.
Wembley now awaits for City in the Semi Final, although without fans in this strangest of seasons.