Bruce’s boys looked like they were in a washing machine

THIS was like trying to play football inside a washing machine for Newcastle, the way Manchester City players were spinning around them in the first half. In possession, City were riveting. Out of it, they were relentless. Pep Guardiola implemented a six-second rule at Barcelona, where players had to try to recover the ball within that timeframe if they lost it. That applies at City under Guardiola, too. On the odd occasion that Newcastle regained possession, they were soon pressured into having it taken away from them. One statistic from the first drinks break after 26 minutes said it all. Completed passes by City: 188. By Newcastle: 15. Steve Bruce set his side up with five at the back rather than his usual four and we witnessed an onslaught from the visitors, who had one chance after another. Maybe after the way

Liverpool took their title in midweek, City felt a need to respond, and Kevin De Bruyne was in the mood on his birthday. The only surprise was it took them so long to break the deadlock, from the spot through De Bruyne in the 37th minute. Newcastle had to change something in their set-up for the second half. If you’re going to go out of the FA Cup, you want to go down fighting. Bruce opted for a back four and Newcastle finally saw more of the ball and made it a match. Dwight Gayle missed a gaping opportunity to capitalise on a City mistake and equalise, then Raheem Sterling made it 2-0. City swept into the semi-finals, where they face my old club Arsenal.