Deposed as Premier League champions, but Pep Guardiola seems hungry for a tripled cup.
Raheem Sterling’s goal ended with Newcastle and established a draw in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
The pain he felt seeing his rivals praise Liverpool as the best on earth this week was channeled into a completely dominant demolition on Steve Bruce’s side.
Birthday boy Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring at the end of a first half in which Newcastle barely received a kick, such was City’s persistent and hoarding brilliance.
They are chasing a seventh FA Cup, to add to the Carabao Cup that they have already racked up this season, plus a Champions League quarter final against Real Madrid on the horizon in August.
(Image: POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
With the Liverpool celebrations still echoing, there was no bad mood in the city.
They were so efficient that it was an insult to call this a contest, launching a relentless assault on the Newcastle target from the start.
By the time Kevin De Bruyne scored the first penalty kick in the 36th minute, they had a staggering 86 percent possession.
It was recalled that center-back Fabian Schar pushed Gabriel Jesus unnecessarily while Kyle Walker floated a cross.
(Image: Owen Humphreys / NMC / Pool / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)
Referee Lee Mason kicked off and De Bruyne petted home for his 15 year season, on his 29th birthday.
“We should have scored more,” said De Bruyne. “We had some problems with penalties this year. The foreman asked me to step up and now I have marked a pair. ”
There were two different versions of soccer on display. Relentless city pressing forward, devouring the ball. They were terribly tenacious and agile to get it back.
Sterling secured the victory by notching the second after 68 minutes after a ruthless pass from two passes and 90 yards.
Aymeric Laporte connected a 50-yard crossfield pass to sub Phil Foden, who picked it up brilliantly and lunged forward to free Sterling.
(Image: Mark Robinson NMC Pool)
The England winger entered from the left and took an excellent shot of 25 yards past Karl Darlow.
A minute earlier, United’s submarine Dwight Gayle wasted a simple opportunity to undeservedly level the game. Allan Saint-Maximin tapped him from six yards, but he put it in.
Bruce’s side had to take advantage of his luck to keep scoring. Andy Carroll put together his only target shot, and that dripped into Bravo’s arms, and his miserable record of not reaching a semifinal since 2005 will remain.
Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez and Sterling (twice) were close in the first half alone. After the break City ended strongly and could have had four or five.
Bruce’s tactical change, going five in the back, failed and they were slightly brighter after the break.
(Image: Shaun Botterill / NMC / Pool / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)
He said: “Who knows if we would have equaled that opportunity. We had to be more aggressive and better with the ball. For long periods it did not feel like a top tie.
“We are frustrated and disappointed. The first half we were too sterile and passive. This is a very good Man City team.
“The four great weapons remain in the competition. The gap between the top and the bottom is growing. The big clubs go on and win it. “
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