Holders Manchester City became the first team in history to reach six consecutive FA Cup semifinals, thanks to two deflected strikes from Bernardo Silva that gave them a 2-0 win over a lacklustre Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
City took the lead in the 13th minute when a Silva shot took a wicked deflection off Newcastle defender Dan Burn, wrong-footing keeper Martin Dubravka and sending the ball looping into the net.
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The home side went 2-0 up in the 31st minute and again it was Portuguese playmaker Silva cutting in from the right and shooting, with Sven Botman‘s head helping to steer the ball past Dubravka this time.
Alexander Isak almost pulled a goal back in the 36th minute but Stefan Ortega got down brilliantly to his left to keep the Swedish striker’s bouncing shot out. It proved to be Newcastle’s only effort on goal in the game.
Just after the hour mark, Eddie Howe lost patience with his stuttering side and made four substitutions and though the introduction of Miguel Almirón gave the visitors a much-needed injection of creativity in their attack, the home side quickly re-adjusted.
Erling Haaland and Jérémy Doku both had a number of chances to score but manager Pep Guardiola will not be too bothered by their profligacy in front of goal as his side outclassed the visitors from start to finish.
City join Coventry City, who pulled off a shock 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the day, in the draw for the semifinals which will be made after Sunday’s remaining quarterfinal ties featuring Chelsea against Leicester City and Manchester United versus Liverpool.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report.