WEMBLEY REGULAR
going to Wembley for the semi-final. I’m so happy.”
Guardiola added: “The FA Cup is very special in England – so this is a big step for us.
“Hopefully we can go back to London for the final, but we must be careful to take it step by step. The players are desperate to play well and to win games.
“We deserve to be going to Wembley. We have now beaten three teams from the Premier League and also one of the top teams in the Championship.
“I didn’t even think Marten de Roon to half-volley wide before hobbling off in the 26th minute with a hamstring strain. Leroy Sane and Toure both squandered opportunities to add to City’s lead before half-time. And after the break, Guzan kept the Teessiders in it, diverting Aguero’s close-range effort onto a post with an instinctive prod of his boot. Aguero made the tie safe in the 67th minute. Sane showed verve as well as vision, speeding down the left, spotting Aguero’s run across Fabio and serving up the perfect cross for the Argentine to steer home. Guardiola’s return to Wembley – scene of European Cup triumphs as both a player and coach with Barcelona – was assured. Sterling had an effort wrongly disallowed for offside after Guzan had spilled Aguero’s blast and was denied by another brilliant save by the Boro keeper late on. In between, Fabio’s header was touched by Claudio Bravo then blocked on the line by John Stones.
“We can take a lot of positive,” insisted Karanka (left, with Guardiola). “I told the players after the game that this is the way to stay up.” Subs not used: REFEREE: show. about resting any players. I didn’t want any regrets.”
City have no new injury worries ahead of their Champions League clash on Wednesday, though Raheem Sterling was lucky to escape unscathed after a studs-up challenge by Boro’s former Etihad midfielder Adam Clayton. MAN CITY