Late City goals defeat resilient Everton 2-0 – FA Cup Quarter-Final report
Manchester City defeated Everton 2-0 in this FA Cup Quarter-Final thanks to two late goals by the visitors.
Everton had defended well the majority of the game, limiting any real City chances. But as many teams have found out this season, keeping City scoreless is a near-impossible task.
Dull first-half of this FA Cup Quarter-Final
Just Oleksandr Zinchenko showing why you put players on the line for corners.#EmiratesFACup @ManCity pic.twitter.com/HAJiHAf2FY
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 20, 2021
The first half of this FA Cup Quarter-Final between Everton and Manchester City was fairly flat, with neither side having any clear-cut chances to score.
Despite City dominating possession throughout the half – 77% – it was Everton who had the best chance.
Everton’s Lucas Digne whipped in a corner from the right side where it found team-mate Yerry Mina at the front post.
The Colombian centre-back’s header flicked the ball onwards towards the back post, but fortunately for City, their left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko was there to head the ball off the line and away from goal.
Everton’s Virgínia denied a great Sterling chance
Take a bow, Joao Virginia 👏
Raheem Sterling was sure he'd scored! A brilliant finger-tip save!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/qbSK4JcBsE
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 20, 2021
Manchester City’s first real chance of this FA Cup Quarter-Final against Everton came in the 58th minute courtesy of Raheem Sterling.
After Fernandinho brilliantly drives forward with the ball towards the left-side of the Everton box, the veteran squares the ball into a central position inside the box.
Sterling gets his way onto the end of the pass, guiding his shot towards the bottom right corner.
However, a great save by young Everton keeper João Virgínia denied the scoring chance, pushing it wide for a corner.
City finally broke through Everton defence late-on
Everton’s valiant effort at holding out City lasted until the 84th minute, when Ilkay Gündogan added another goal onto his already impressive tally for this campaign.
Aymeric Laporte collected the ball near half-way, before driving forward to the edge of Everton’s box.
The French defender played the ball across to Kevin De Bruyne, who attempts to take the ball past Mina before being taken down.
Despite this, the loose ball falls back to Laporte, whose shot from just inside the box is well-saved by Virgínia, pushing it onto the bar.
Unfortunately for Everton, City’s Gündogan is first to react, diving and heading the rebound from 6-yards out into the empty Everton net.
De Bruyne sealed win for City
City then secured this FA Cup Quarter-Final win with another goal 6 minutes later thanks to a composed finish by De Bruyne.
Mina’s poor headed clearance from half-way inside his own half travelled straight to City’s Rodri.
The Spaniard played a first-time ball over the top of the Everton defence into the path of De Bruyne, who quickly drove forward with the ball.
Once inside the box, the Belgian talisman cut inside onto his left foot and smashed it into the Everton goal from 12-yards out, giving the keeper no chance.
Reactions on this FA Cup Quarter-Final result
No player created more chances for Man City vs. Everton than Kevin De Bruyne (2) despite coming on in the 80th minute.
He had a hand in the first and scored the second himself. pic.twitter.com/3MIm8z04sS
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 20, 2021
This @ManCity side is bloody brilliant. 👏🏻👏🏻
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 20, 2021
7 – @ManCity have reached a cup semi-final for the 7th season in a row and for the 12th time in their last 13 campaigns. Seasoned. pic.twitter.com/lLn56Pk0TG
— StatCity (@StatCity) March 20, 2021
"We saw the Everton warm-up and saw the commitment, how focused they were."
"Every throw-in is a corner, real, real tough."
Pep Guardiola praised his side's patience for winning a tough cup tie at Goodison Park.
🎙 @TheDesKelly#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/i4n9w0DxY3
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 20, 2021
"I am satisfied because we competed well against the best team in the world."
"They have the best bench in the world also!"
High praise for Man City from Carlo Ancelotti after Everton were knocked out of the #EmiratesFACup.
🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/GRllMmNIEA
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 20, 2021
Superior Southampton ease past Bournemouth 3-0 – FA Cup Quarter-Final report
Leeds defeat Fulham 2-1 after closely contested match – Premier League result