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Rob dawsonCorrespondent
Manchester City reserved its place in the last four FA Cup games with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s team will play Arsenal at Wembley in the semifinals after a Kevin De Bruyne penalty and a goal by Raheem Sterling earned them a comfortable victory at St James’ Park.
De Bruyne scored his 12th goal of the season from the spot after referee Lee Mason saw a push on Gabriel Jesus by Fabian Schar. Substitute Dwight Gayle missed a golden edge opportunity to make it 1-1 only for City to come down to the other end and seal the result thanks to an impressive finish from the edge of the box by Raheem Sterling.
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Positive
The defeat at Chelsea and Liverpool to clinch the title made it a difficult week, but ended with a place in the FA Cup semi-finals. There’s still plenty for City to play this season, and the performance at St James’ Park was proof enough that they won’t be shutting down now that the Premier League is officially gone.
Negative
The city dominated the game, but the outcome could have been different if Gayle hadn’t missed a glorious equalizing opportunity minutes after his replacement. A mistake by Nicolas Otamendi gave Allan Saint-Maximin the opportunity to cross, but six yards away and with the goal scored, Gayle found a way to launch his shot on the bar.
Manager Rating (out of 10)
7 – The City manager is determined to keep his players as fresh as possible during this crowded season finale, but after giving up the Premier League title, he wants to win the FA Cup. Guardiola chose a strong team with De Bruyne, Sterling and Aymeric Laporte, and that meant Newcastle never seemed to cause discomfort.
Player Ratings (1-10; 10 = Better. Players submitted after 70 minutes do not earn a rating)
GK Claudio Bravo, 6 years old – Newcastle managed just one shot to the target, which says everything about how busy he was.
DF Kyle Walker, age 7 – He found Jesus with a cross that pierced the penalty area and created the danger that led Schar to award a penalty.
DF Benjamin Mendy, 7 years old – I didn’t have much defense to make and was allowed to play as an assistant winger for much of the night.
DF Nicolas Otamendi, 6 years old – He escaped with a horrible cross pass that went straight to Saint-Maximin and gave Gayle a golden opportunity.
DF Aymeric Laporte, 7 years old He nearly scored with a cross-back header from David Silva’s corner. Applauded by Andy Carroll three times.
MF Ilkay Gundogan, 7 – He played as a quarterback for much of the game, passing with little pressure from Newcastle.
MF Kevin De Bruyne, 7 years old He made the penalty seem easy by sending Karl Darlow the wrong way. His passing was as good as ever.
MF David Silva, 7 – Smart cutout to create an early opportunity for Riyad Mahrez. Replaced early to save his legs.
FW Raheem Sterling, 8 – He saw a good effort outplayed by Darlow in the first half and put the game to bed with a wonderful goal after cutting from the left.
FW Riyad Mahrez, 7 – He should have hit the target with the game’s first chance but shot. I kept shooting and was unlucky not to finish with a goal.
FW Gabriel Jesús, 7 – Caught by Kyle Walker’s pierced cross that flashed widely on his heel. I put myself in a good position to win the penalty.
Substitutes
MF Bernardo Silva, 6 – Bright cameo.
MF Phil Foden, age 7 – The pace increased.
MF Rodri, N / R – In De Bruyne, but it didn’t have much of an impact.
DF Joao Cancelo, N / R – Walker replaced in a rather moderate performance.
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