Erling Haaland scored a superb hat-trick to help Manchester City continue their formidable FA Cup run under Pep Guardiola by booking a record-extending eighth consecutive semi-final with a ruthless dismantling of insipid Liverpool.
Manager Guardiola had to watch from the stands as he served the second game of a touchline ban and he witnessed his team take apart toothless Liverpool in a result that will increase the pressure on boss Arne Slot.
City’s previous game was at Wembley, when they triumphed over Premier League leaders Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, and the hosts backed that up with another impressive victory to close on a domestic cup double.
City had done little to threaten Giorgi Mamardashvili’s goal until taking the lead on 38 minutes when Haaland converted from the penalty spot, just as he did at Anfield in the league this season, following Virgil van Dijk’s clumsy trip on Nico O’Reilly.
The Norway striker had been on a relatively barren run in front of goal before this game but he then added a second by guiding a header into the far corner from Antoine Semenyo’s cross on the stroke of half-time.
Liverpool had played fluently earlier in the game at Etihad Stadium – with Florian Wirtz prominent – but their inability to convert the chances they created proved costly.
City failed to deal with a long ball over the top but Mohamed Salah, playing for the first time since announcing he will leave Anfield this summer, hesitated when through on goal and his effort was blocked wide.
He also later had a penalty saved by James Trafford while Hugo Ekitike’s strike from inside the area flew wastefully over.
City were much more clincical, as Semenyo clipped in a delightful finish early in the second half to make it 3-0 before Haaland completed his treble to seal City’s serene progression to the last four.
City have made the national stadium their second home under Guardiola and two huge banners reading ‘Wembley again, ole ole’ were unfurled at the Etihad after they secured their return visit.
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With top-flight teams including Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds United and West Ham United all still remaining in the competition, a tantalising tie awaits for City later this month.
Having defeated Liverpool home and away in the league this season, City’s brilliant display sealed a hat-trick of wins over the Reds for the first time in almost a century as they became the first team to achieve that feat since West Ham 10 seasons ago.
Once City went ahead courtesy of Haaland’s spot-kick, there was no looking back and they will take great satisfaction from inflicting a heavy defeat on an opponent that Guardiola has called the “biggest rival” of his career.
Some questions had been asked of the Norway striker after just one goal in his past seven games for club and country, but his return to form will no doubt give his manager and team-mates confidence for the run-in.
Haaland seems to enjoy playing at home against Liverpool as he scored for a fourth straight game against them to take his tally to 46 goals overall this season.
BBC
