The Malta Independent on Sunday
City overcomes stubborn Newport to reach FA Cup quarters
Manchester City broke through Newport's stubborn defence in the second half to beat the fourth-tier side 4-1 in the FA Cup yesterday, although the result wasn't as straightforward as the scoreline suggested.
Newport's hopes of an epic fifth-round upset were still intact when Padraig Amond pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 in the 88th minute. But Phil Foden replied instantly with his second goal of the game and Riyad Mahrez added an injurytime score, allowing City to advance to the quarterfinals to keep Pep Guardiola's side in the hunt for a possible four trophies.
Brighton and Millwall also advanced. Brighton beat secondtier Derby 2-1 while Championship side Millwall overcame AFC Wimbledon 1-0.
City's visit to South Wales had only one realistic outcome, but the win wasn't quite as simple as most expected.
City entered the game as the overwhelming favourite - especially after beating Chelsea 6-0 last weekend in the Premier League - but struggled to impose its usual attacking game on a pitch that contained more mud than grass in many places.
Newport, with an annual wage bill that's less than one percent of City's, managed to reach the halftime break still at 0-0, and even created the best chance of the opening 45 minutes. City goalkeeper Ederson had to produce a stellar one-handed save to keep Tyreeq Bakinson's header at bay in the 14th minute.
But Leroy Sane, who hit the crossbar in the first half, finally created the breakthrough for City in the 51st. Sane ran onto a pass from Gabriel Jesus and fired a left-foot shot that hit goalkeeper Joe Day square in the face before spinning through his arms and into the net. The strike left Day with a bloody nose, and left Newport's chances in tatters as well.
Foden doubled the lead in the 75th with a solo goal by Foden, after the teenager picked up the ball on the halfway line before charging forward and slotting a shot past Day.
Newport still managed to make it interesting when Amond seized on a defensive mistake to lob the ball over Emerson, but Foden quickly restored City's two-goal lead with a fierce left-foot shot into the net from inside the area. Mahrez added the fourth from the left side of the box in injury time, creating a scoreline that flattered the visitors.
"The first 20 minutes were difficult from throw-ins and long balls, and they are much better than us in those situations, but in the last 20 minutes we put the game into our hands," Guardiola said. "The home crowd was amazing. Winning here, I (understand) English football today better than ever and how tough the cup is in these conditions."
BRIGHTON HOLDS ON
Brighton reached the quarterfinals for the second year in a row after holding off a late comeback attempt by Derby.
Brighton looked to be in complete control after taking a 2-0 lead at halftime, with Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia scoring for the Premier League side. But Derby threatened to make a comeback after veteran left back Ashley Cole - a seventime FA Cup winner with Arsenal and Chelsea - scored his first goal in the competition in the 81st.
That made for a nervy last 10 minutes for the hosts, but Harry Wilson and Fikayo Tomori both shot wide for Derby to scupper any hopes of a comeback.
MILLWALL THROUGH
Millwall also advanced after Murray Wallace's early goal was enough to see off League One struggler AFC Wimbledon.