Man City vs Newcastle LIVE: FA Cup result and reaction after Bernardo Silva hits double
Pep Guardiola’s side cruised to victory thanks to Silva’s brace at the Etihad Stadium
Holders Manchester City cruised into the semi-finals of the FA Cup thanks to two deflected strikes from Bernardo Silva that gave them a 2-0 win over a lacklustre Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
City made five changes from the side that started last weekend's 1-1 Premier League draw with Liverpool and still managed to make the semi-finals of the competition for the sixth season in a row as Newcastle provided little resistance. City took the lead in the 13th minute when a Silva shot took a wicked deflection off Newcastle defender Dan Burn, wrong-footing keeper Martin Dubravka and sending the ball looping into the net.
The home side went 2-0 up in the 31st minute and again it was Portuguese playmaker Silva cutting in from the right and shooting, with Sven Botman's head helping to steer the ball past Dubravka this time. Alexander Isak almost pulled a goal back in the 36th minute but Stefan Ortega got down brilliantly to his left to keep the Swedish striker's bouncing shot out. It proved to be Newcastle's only effort on goal in the game.
Just after the hour mark, Eddie Howe lost patience with his stuttering side and made four substitutions and though the introduction of Miguel Almiron gave the visitors a much-needed injection of creativity in their attack, the home side quickly re-adjusted. Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku both had a number of chances to score but manager Pep Guardiola will not be too bothered by their profligacy in front of goal as his side outclassed the visitors from start to finish.
Follow all the reaction from Manchester City vs Newcastle in the FA Cup quarter-finals below, and get the latest match odds and FA Cup tips here.
Team news
And here are the line-ups for both sides.
MAN CITY XI: Ortega; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodrigo, Kovacic, Bernardo; Foden, Doku, Haaland.
NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Dubravka; Schar, Lascelles, Botman; Murphy, Bruno Guimaraes, Longstaff, Burn; Willock, Gordon; Isak.
Injury news
A reminder of the injury situations for both teams as we approach the announcement of the respective XIs.
For City, Ederson and Kevin De Bruyne are both out for this game, though Jack Grealish should be in the squad after recovering from a muscle injury.
For the away side, Antony Gordon is available to face City despite initial worries after he came off against Chelsea on Monday.
Nick Pope and Harvey Barnes remain out, while Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson are also injured.
Predicted line-ups:
Man City: Ortega; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, Foden, Alvarez; Haaland
Newcastle: Dubravka; Livramento, Botman, Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
When is the FA Cup semi-final draw?
The winner of today’s tie will learn their semi-final opponents tomorrow, after the clash between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Coventry beat Wolves 3-2 at Molineux in a thrilling early kick-off today, while the other quarter-final, between Chelsea and Leicester, begins at 12.45pm tomorrow.
Man City hit by Ederson injury absence ahead of crucial title run-in
The Brazilian goalkeeper went off after conceding a penalty against Liverpool
Man City vs Newcastle LIVE updates
The last meeting between these two teams took place at St James’ Park in January. It marked Kevin De Bruyne’s return from injury, and the midfielder played a key role in a 3-2 comeback win, with Oscar Bobb scoring an impressive winner.
Earlier this season, Newcastle knocked City out of the Carabao Cup with a 1-0 home win, while City ran out 1-0 winners in a close game at the start of the league season.
Games between the two sides have thrown up some enthralling scorelines in recent years, with a 3-3 draw in August 2022 and a 4-3 City win in May 2021.
Julian Alvarez punishes Newcastle in last contest between sides at the Etihad
More City injury woes
Ederson is another vital player that City will likely be missing for at least a couple of games.
The goalkeeper came off injured in last week’s 1-1 draw at Anfield after conceding a penalty, having fouled Darwin Nunez.
The Brazilian was ruled out of the upcoming game against Arsenal on 31 March, and it is currently unknown if he’ll be back for the fixture against Champions League-chasing Aston Villa on 3 April.
Man City hit by Ederson injury absence ahead of crucial title run-in
The Brazilian goalkeeper went off after conceding a penalty against Liverpool
Eddie Howe provides Nick Pope injury update and Newcastle return target
“April is his target. Now, I think that will be more towards the end of April than the beginning. He’s making good solid progress.
“He is out on the grass but not necessarily diving but he’s doing lots of other little bits. Diving is a big test for his shoulder and that’s probably the next stage of where he’ll start implementing that back into his game and he’s got to get his sharpness back.
“I think he’s entering the final furlong in terms of his comeback. He’s pleased with where he’s at but he’s still got a lot of hurdles to go through.”
Former Man City director targeted by Liverpool?
Former Man City Global Lead of Football Performance Pedro Marques is a target for Premier League rivals Liverpool.
FSG is targeting the Benfica technical director Pedro Marques, reports David Ornstein of the Athletic.
As the Reds eye a new set-up, Marques would be hired with a view to helping FSG expand with a second club to its portfolio initially.
His vast experience with City previously, playing a key role for the City Football Group and its network of football clubs, appears to be attractive to FSG as they bid to increase their influence in football beyond Anfield and the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola on Man City injury concerns for FA Cup quarter-final
“We are perfect,” he said. “We had five months without Kevin and two months [for Haaland] but when you compare to other clubs we’re quite good and have done really well again.
“It’s impossible to have a season without injuries but I don’t have the feeling we’ve not had much.”
Jack Grealish can help Man City if fit and ready – Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola hopes to have the Jack Grealish of last season back for the closing stages of Manchester City’s latest push for silverware.
Grealish, a key part of City’s treble success last season, has endured a frustrating campaign this time around.
He missed a month early in the season with a dead leg and a groin problem has limited him to just one appearance in City’s last seven games.
The 28-year-old also had a spell out through illness and had personal matters to deal with after a high-profile burglary at his home.
His form has suffered and, with other players excelling in his place, he has not been able to get a consistent run in the side.
Jack Grealish can help Man City if fit and ready – Pep Guardiola
The England international has endured a season disrupted by injury, illness and a burglary at his home.
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