Salah misses from the spot
©IMAGO
Manchester City are back in the semi-finals of the FA Cup thanks to a hat-trick from exceptional striker Erling Haaland. Even without the yellow-banned successful coach Pep Guardiola on the sidelines, the Premier League runners-up won their quarter-final against champions Liverpool FC in their home stadium with 4-0 (2-0). It was the Reds’ 15th defeat of the season in all competitions.
From the stands, Guardiola saw Haaland’s brace in the first half: in the 38th minute, the Norwegian converted a penalty kick, and shortly before half-time he headed in to make it 2-0 (45th+2). He scored his third goal for last year’s finalists in the 57th minute to make it 4-0 and now has 46 goals in 50 competitive games for club and national team. Previously, winter signing Antoine Semenyo (50th) scored to make it 3-0. For Liverpool, Mohamed Salah (64th) missed a penalty against City keeper James Trafford.
The semi-finals will take place on April 25th and 26th. Cup defending champions Crystal Palace had already been eliminated in the third round by sixth division club FC Macclesfield. In the evening, Chelsea will play against third division team Port Vale and Premier League leaders Arsenal at Southampton FC. West Ham and Leeds United complete the quarter-finals on Sunday.
