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Tag: FA Cup semifinal

  • Riyad Mahrez hat-trick sends Man City into FA Cup final

    Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick as Manchester City snapped their dropping streak in FA Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 stroll over second-tier Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday.

    After exiting on the semi-final stage for the ultimate three seasons, Pep Guardiola’s treble-chasing facet weren’t about to bear the equivalent future and gained with out requiring prime gear.

    Championship promotion hopefuls United began brightly and aggravated City for most of the first half nevertheless Mahrez fired City ahead from the penalty spot throughout the forty third minute.

    Mahrez then waltzed by way of some flimsy defending to make it 2-0 throughout the 61st minute and achieved his hat-trick 5 minutes later with a scientific finish from Jack Grealish’s low cross.

    The Cityzens are Final positive! 🏆@Mahrez22 was the hero of the hour for @ManCity as a result of the forward bagged a hat-trick to ship them into their first #EmiratesFACup Final since 2019 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Do46gI8VdF

    — Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 22, 2023

    It was the first FA Cup semi-final hat-trick since Alex Dawson for Manchester United in opposition to Fulham in 1958.

    City have not conceded a goal in reaching the FA Cup final for a twelfth time the place they may face Manchester United in what could possibly be the first all-Manchester battle throughout the showpiece.

    United are up in opposition to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

    With the tie safely throughout the bag, Guardiola substituted Grealish and goal machine Erling Haaland with one eye on Wednesday’s looming Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

    City are moreover throughout the semi-finals of the Champions League the place they could face Spanish holders Real Madrid.

    It proved a disappointing day for Sheffield United who last gained the FA Cup practically 100 years previously, although the Yorkshire membership’s priority will most likely be sealing promotion once more to the best flight after being relegated in 2021.

  • Steffen blunder helps quad-chasing Liverpool attain cup closing

    The tame again cross from John Stones trickled towards Zack Steffen. Just a easy clearance was wanted by Manchester City’s backup goalkeeper with Liverpool already main. One contact managed the cross. The second contact was … doing what? The dawdling American simply took too lengthy.

    Before the ball may very well be hoofed clear, Sadio Mane raced into the penalty space and slid in to nudge the ball over the road. Liverpool moved right into a two-goal lead _ constructing on Ibrahima Konate’s header _ and Mane scored once more earlier than halftime to clinch an eventual 3-2 victory over City on Saturday and attain a primary FA Cup closing in a decade.

    The quadruple remains to be on for Liverpool with Chelsea or Crystal Palace awaiting within the FA Cup closing subsequent month. There’s solely two paths to trophies for City, and Liverpool might thwart each. Their tussle for the English Premier League trophy is way tighter than this FA Cup semifinal recommended, the place Liverpool’s superiority was clear within the first half earlier than targets from Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva gave a hope of a City comeback.

    Their 2-2 draw final Sunday within the league prevented Liverpool from shifting into first place, and left City a degree in entrance. There might but be a fourth instalment of this rivalry this season in Paris subsequent month in the event that they win semifinals to succeed in the Champions League closing. That would see Liverpool contest three finals in 2022 having already received the League Cup at Wembley.

    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHASE

    City and Liverpool look certain to qualify for the Champions League once more. The remainder of the Premier League’s prime 4 is extra up for grabs, with Manchester United’s pursuit helped by Tottenham and Arsenal dropping. Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat trick secured a 3-2 victory over Norwich after the last-placed workforce fought again from two targets down. United moved above Arsenal and into fifth place.

    Tottenham was solely three factors forward in fourth after dropping to Brighton 1-0. Spurs have been not less than helped by Arsenal dropping by the identical rating at Southampton to forestall their neighbors shifting degree on factors.

    PREMIER LEAGUE RELEGATION

    Watford slipped nearer to relegation after dropping 2-1 to Brentford, which moved into eleventh place in its first Premier League marketing campaign. Pontus Jansson scored the winner within the fifth minute of stoppage time.