After reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup, coach Pep Guardiola commented on how Man City won consecutively in Cup tournaments while still maintaining ambitions in the two main playgrounds, the Premier League and Champions League.

At Etihad Stadium on March 16, Man City dominated with 73% ball control, finished 16 times with five hits – compared to Newcastle’s 2 and 1, but scored two lucky goals. In the 13th minute, Bernardo Silva hit two away team players, leaving goalkeeper Martin Dubravka unable to react, putting Man City ahead. In the 31st minute, the Portuguese midfielder completed his double in the same way when his long shot hit the head of midfielder Sven Botman and redirected the ball into the net.

This result helps Man City become the first club to reach the FA Cup semi-finals six consecutive seasons. Under Pep Guardiola, Man City won the FA Cup for the first time in 2019 when they crushed Watford 6-0 in the final at Wembley. Since then, Man City has always reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, including lifting this cup once on the journey to winning a historic treble in the 2022-2023 season.

The win over Newcastle also helps Man City raise their ambition to defend the title in all three competitions. In addition to entering the semi-finals of the FA Cup, the blue half of Manchester is one point behind the top of the Premier League table and will rematch Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.