Haaland Nets Long

Manchester City triumphed convincingly in the FA Cup quarterfinals, defeating Liverpool 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Erling Haaland scored a hat trick, while Antoine Semenyo also contributed a goal, enabling Pep Guardiola’s team to secure their eighth consecutive semifinal appearance.

All of City’s goals came during a rapid 18-minute surge around half-time.

Liverpool’s woes were epitomized by Mohamed Salah, who, in his first match since announcing his impending departure from Anfield, squandered two good opportunities and had a second-half penalty saved by James Trafford.

This victory provides a much-needed confidence boost for City as they prepare for crucial upcoming Premier League matches against Chelsea and Arsenal.

On the other hand, Liverpool urgently need to rebound as they gear up for a challenging Champions League matchup against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

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Haaland Returns to Form

Haaland’s recent challenges have been widely noted, with Norway’s manager Stale Solbakken mentioning “special treatment” during recent international fixtures in which he only played one game.

After a brief hiatus, he showcased his return to form on Saturday, confidently scoring a penalty to put City ahead and then netting his second goal by diligently heading Semenyo’s cross past Ibrahima Konaté. He topped off his hat trick with a third goal after the break, marking his first for City since August 2024.

The signature move for his second goal is reminiscent of Haaland’s previous performances, an indication that he may be regaining his earlier form.

This is promising news for City, especially following their Champions League exit against Real Madrid, which opens up more opportunities for him to recover between fixtures.

If he continues to play at a high level, City could be poised to add the FA Cup and Premier League title to the Carabao Cup, which they recently won against rivals Arsenal. — Rob Dawson

Salah’s Disappointing Start to Farewell Tour

If this marks the beginning of Salah’s farewell tour, it seems unlikely his departure will reflect the greatness of his Liverpool legacy.

Given his announcement about leaving Anfield at the end of the season, some expected Salah’s final weeks might unleash a more creative and liberated playstyle. However, that has yet to materialize.

Salah began the game with promise, but he quickly lost his chance to make an impact, squandering a key opportunity within the first quarter-hour and receiving jeers from the City supporters. His subsequent attempts also missed the target, culminating in a saved penalty and his substitution later in the match.

Having previously been involved in 21 goals against City (13 goals and 8 assists), Salah has proven a stalwart opponent for Guardiola. However, his recent performance raises questions about whether a parting this summer would be in everyone’s best interests. — Lindop

Mounting Pressure on Liverpool’s Boss Slot

As City dominated the second half, Liverpool supporters chanted “You’re getting sacked in the morning” aimed at Slot.

This has become a familiar refrain for the Liverpool head coach as the team’s season spirals downward. Initially, such chants might have been seen as lighthearted, yet they now carry a heavy weight as he faced his largest defeat as Liverpool’s manager.

Despite Liverpool’s ownership group, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), continuing to back the Dutch manager amid injuries and squad transitions, the disheartening results and performances make a strong case against his long-term tenure.

If Liverpool suffers another humiliating defeat in the Champions League, regaining the support of an increasingly frustrated fanbase would be a daunting task for Slot. — Lindop

End of Liverpool’s ‘Mentality Monsters’

For Liverpool, this result paints a concerning picture. While they initially posed a threat as underdogs, their chances faded following a clumsy challenge by Virgil van Dijk that led to City being awarded a penalty. As soon as Haaland converted the penalty, it became apparent that City was destined for victory.

As has been the case throughout this season, Liverpool faltered under pressure, further solidifying their struggles with a second goal just before half-time. They have now won only two of the 19 matches where they conceded the first goal this season, a drastic drop from last season’s seven wins in 24 attempts.

The team, once dubbed “mentality monsters” under former manager Jürgen Klopp, now appears ill-equipped to handle adversity. Their inability to bounce back has severely hurt their campaign, and without significant improvement, the remainder of this challenging season could become even more dire. — Beth Lindop

Guardiola Sets a Historic FA Cup Record

Guardiola often expresses his desire to capture “all the records” before he departs City, and he has now achieved another milestone.

His team has clinched 18 consecutive home wins in the FA Cup, smashing a record that has stood for nearly 150 years.

Clapham Rovers previously held the record of 17 home cup victories between 1873 and 1881. This was so long ago that the club is no longer active, having folded in 1914 following the onset of the First World War.

The win against Liverpool also secured City their eighth consecutive semifinal slot, advancing beyond their previous record of seven set last season.

City remains unbeaten in FA Cup ties away from Wembley since a defeat to Wigan Athletic in 2018. A win in the upcoming rounds would make them the first team in history to appear in four successive FA Cup finals.

Given that Guardiola has also secured the Carabao Cup five times, his domestic cup achievements while in England are nothing short of extraordinary.

Another visit to Wembley is on the horizon, providing yet another opportunity to further etch their name in the record books. — Dawson