Haaland treble inspires record-breaking City into FA Cup semi-finals | OneFootball

An Erling Haaland hat-trick and Antoine Semenyo effort fired magnificent Manchester City to a superb 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win at home to Liverpool and into a record eighth successive Wembley semi-final.

Pitted against the reigning Premier League champions, City were in imperious form at the Etihad – and, as so often –  it was Haaland who proved the decisive talisman.

The Norwegian opened the scoring with a 39th minute penalty after Nico O’Reilly had been brought down by Virgil van Dijk.

The City striker then struck again in stunning fashion in first half injury time, powering home a superb header.

City further extended our advantage four minutes after the restart when Semenyo guided home a delightful chip from a Rayan Cherki assist.

And with the Etihad party under way, Haaland then sealed the 12th treble of his City career by firing home on 57 minutes, via the underside of the bar, to set the seal on a true afternoon to savour.

ACTION MAN: Abdukodir Khusanov takes control.

The game in 250 words

City were making our first appearance in the wake of lifting the Carabao Cup late last month and seeking to maintain the feel-good factor against Arne Slot’s visitors.

Not surprisingly given the calibre of talent on display on both sides, it was an intense, high octane opening with early chances at both ends.

First City breathed a sigh of relief after Mohamed Salah, on what was his farewell appearance at the Etihad for Liverpool, blazed a gilt-edged opportunity wide on 14 minutes after the Egyptian had latched onto a long clearance by Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The Blues then carved out a fine opening with a threaded Bernardo Silva pass finding the onrushing Rayan Cherki only for the Frenchman to be denied by the Liverpool shot stopper.

It was end-to-end stuff with Hugo Ekitike then rifling an inviting 28th minute effort over the bar after the ball fell to him in the middle of the Blues’ box following a Salah cross.

City though were not deflected from the task in hand and we carved open the key breakthrough on 39 minutes, opening the scoring thanks to a Haaland penalty.

ONEDERFUL: Erling Haaland leads the celebrations after his opener.

Referee Michael Oliver had no hesitation pointing to the spot after Nico O’Reilly had been brought down by Virgil van Dijk and Haaland made no mistake from the spot, replicating his match winning penalty in the Premier League clash at Anfield in February.

Things got even better for City in first half injury time as the Norwegian struck again in quite brilliant fashion to double the advantage.

A cute Cherki pass put Semenyo in space on the right side of the box and from his pinpoint cross Haaland rose to guide home a stunning header into the left corner of the net.

City were now flying and Pep Guardiola’s men further extended our advantage four minutes after the restart through Semenyo.

The Ghanaian winger timed his run to perfection as he latched onto a delightful Cherki through ball before lofting a precise finish over Mamardashvili.

NORSE CODE: Erling's expression says it all after his second goal.

The rampant Blues were now in an unstoppable mood and it was no surprise when Haaland then struck again to seal his 12th City hat-trick, making it 33 club goals in total this term.

It had been a quiet afternoon for James Trafford but the City keeper then demonstrated his class on 63 minutes, diving low to save a Salah penalty after Ekitike had been brought down by Matheus Nunes.

It served to set the seal on arguably our most impressive display of the season and one to truly savour.

Teams

CITY XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Rodrigo (Nico 60), Bernardo (C), Semenyo (Foden 70), Cherki (Reijnders 70), Doku (Savinho 60), Haaland (Marmoush 77).

Subs: Donnarumma, Ake, Kovacic, Ait-Nouri.

LIVERPOOL:  Mamardashvili, Gomez (Frimpong 62), Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Gravenberch (Mac Allister 67), Szoboszlai, Jones, Salah, Wirtz (Ngumoha 67), Ekitike (Gakpo 68)

Subs: Woodman, Chiesa, Robertson, Nyoni, Morrison

Attendance: 50,754

FOURMIDABLE: Erling Haaland celebrates with Nico O'Reilly after sealing his treble.

Player of the match

It has to be Erling Haaland.

The big man was at his rampant, unplayable best and proved a talismanic presence all afternoon.

This latest treble - the 12th of his imperious City career -  also represented the full gamut of his talents: a coolly taken penalty, brilliant header and incisive power packed finish.

What a striker he is.

Record breakers

City’s 4-0 victory over Liverpool not only sealed a record eighth successive FA Cup semi-final place, it was also our 18th successive home win in the FA Cup, setting a new competition record.

The result took us beyond Clapham Rovers’ total of 17 straight home wins in the FA Cup between 1873 and 1881.

It’s a phenomenal run that stretches back to February 2017, with our last home defeat coming against Middlesbrough back in January 2015.

Duke of Earl

There’s something about the sight of Liverpool at the Etihad that brings the competitive best out of Erling Haaland.

This made it four home games in succession in all competitions where our master marksman has found the target against the Anfield side.

The only Premier League players (since 1992-93) to score in four consecutive home appearances against the Merseysiders are Chris Sutton (4 from 1994 to 1996) and Sergio Agüero (5 from 2013 to 2017).

Pep LIJNDERS reaction

It’s special. A sign of a really good quality system that the team reaches every season.

The FA Cup is special we know this. And the fans to travel to Wembley again with the family and all the passion around.

It’s a special place and you should not take it for granted and we don’t do that.

Erling is a machine to work with. I like the guys that train like that. Compliments to him.

HAALAND reaction

Yeah amazing. Honestly first half we struggled a bit. But after around 30 minutes we kept going, kept going, and in the end it’s an amazing game at home.

Another Wembley trip for us is amazing and important.

It’s been some time since I did a hat-trick for City so I think it’s about time that I did it again!

Another hat-trick is always nice and is special. I’m super happy.

I have been in an FA Cup final and now we are going to Wembley. This club has to win trophies on the biggest stage.

What it means

City are through to an eighth successive FA Cup semi-final – a new English club record.

We now await to find out who we will play with the draw set to take place on Sunday after the West Ham v Leeds United quarter-final concludes.

What’s next

City return to Premier League action next weekend when we travel to Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge clash is set for Sunday, April 12 with kick-off slated for 16.30 (UK).

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