Magpies trophy dreams over for another year as Guardiola’s men set up clash with Arsenal

The winners of 20 of the last 24 FA Cups will meet in the semi-finals after Manchester City’s 2-0 victory against Newcastle completed a weekend in which all four away teams won their quarterfinals. Holders City, who opened the scoring through a Kevin De Bruyne penalty (above), will play Arsenal while Manchester United face Chelsea. The semi-finals will be played at Wembley over the weekend of July 18-19, with the final scheduled for Saturday, August 1 at the same venue.

TRY to rope-a-dope and you might become the punchbag. Newcastle United’s 65-year wait for a domestic trophy will continue as Manchester City booked an FA Cup semi-final date with Arsenal next month after what was an at times ludicrously uneven quarter-final at St James’ Park.

Kevin De Bruyne’s penalty and Raheem Sterling’s fine goal made the difference this time. It was only two-and-a-half years ago that a Premier League fixture at St James’ Park between these two teams was so one-sided that it was described as a “joke”, an “embarrassment” and “not acceptable” by those watching on in the Sky Sports studio. City had 83 per cent possession at half-time that night, ending the night on 78.

They went into the break on 82 per cent this time, and finished with 76, though it often felt just as lopsided as that meeting in December 2017.

There were points during the first half when you had to remind yourself that these two teams were playing the same sport, and the limitations of automated crowd noise were laid bare when no ironic cheers met Newcastle’s few touches of the ball inside City’s half.

There is more than one way to win a football match, of course, and any criticism of Steve Bruce’s approach would be short-sighted, failing to take into account the gulf in talent that any sensible manager would attempt to counteract. It always felt inevitable that City would eventually break through – even if Newcastle will be frustrated with how easily their resistance was broken.

Towards the end of the first half, City were awarded a penalty after Fabian Schar needlessly pushed Gabriel Jesus in the back. It was the type of incident that may have gone unnoticed had St James’s Park been full, but referee Lee Mason was alert and pointed to the spot. De Bruyne (pictured) duly converted.

Sterling ensured City’s supremacy would be rewarded with his second goal in 14 games on 68 minutes.

It would be wrong to say that scoreline better reflected City’s dominance. For that, Pep Guardiola’s side would’ve needed to score five or six, though they will make do with another domestic cup semi-final in a season that could yet end with three major trophies. (© Independent News Service)