Marmoush brace fires impressive City into FA Cup quarter-finals | OneFootball

An Omar Marmoush brace allied to a strike from Savinho fired City to a superb 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round victory at Newcastle United.

A City side showing 10 changes from last Wednesday’s draw with Nottingham Forest had fallen behind to an early Harvey Barnes strike.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side then turned the tide at St James’ Park in emphatic fashion, producing a display of the highest quality.

Savinho levelled affairs on 39 minutes with a somewhat unconventional effort, the ball going in off his standing leg from a Jeremy Doku cross.

After that it was all about Marmoush as the Egyptian extended his remarkable personal record against Newcastle.

First he struck two minutes after the restart, lashing home from close range to fire City ahead after more brilliant work from Savinho and Matheus Nunes.

And a 25 yard thunderbolt on 65 minutes sealed the deal, making it seven goals in 13 months for Marmoush against the Magpies and, more  importantly, powering City into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

LEADING MAN: Skipper John Stones seeks to get City motoring.

The game in 250 words

In what was our third trip of the season to St James’ Park, there was a high octane start from the hosts.

John Stones and Abdukodir Khusanov needed to be alert to shut the door on Harvey Barnes as he sought to convert from five yards out with 10 minutes on the clock.

Almost immediately Nico came to City’s rescue, clearing Nick Woltemade’s close-range header off the line after a Trafford clearance went straight to the German striker.

And the Magpies’ early pressure was then rewarded on 18 minutes when Barnes did find the target.

The Magpies man latched onto a fine Tonali pass on the left edge of the box and guided a pinpoint shot across Trafford into the right corner of the net, the effort upheld after a VAR check for offside.

However, City sought to summon up a response and gradually began to assert control.

Aaron Ramsdale needed to be alert just before the half hour to shut the door on Savinho.

And the goal that City had threatened arrived on 39 minutes through Savinho - albeit in an unconventional manner.

LEVEL BEST: City celebrate after Savinho's equaliser.

A brilliant Doku cross from the left flank evaded the Newcastle defence and struck the stationary Savinho on the left shin before rebounding past Ramsdale and over the goal line.

Within 60 seconds Reijnders had a gilt-edged opportunity to fire City ahead after latching onto a superb Savinho assist only for the Dutchman to fire wide.

It was a brilliant ending to the first half and City flew out of the traps two minutes after the restart as Marmoush deservedly fired the Blues ahead.

Savinho again caused mayhem down the right flank, teeing up Matheus Nunes on the overlap who then drilled in an inviting low cross.

The ball evaded everyone but found its way to the waiting Marmoush who gratefully smashed home into the roof of the net to extend his Midas touch against the Magpies.

The City pressure kept coming, Ramsdale denying Marmoush on the hour before Hall denied Reijnders’ follow up effort.

BLUE HEAVEN: The City squad celebrate with Omar Marmoush after his first goal

But the Egyptian wasn’t to be denied and he further extended his remarkable record against Newcastle by fizzing home his second of the net and City’s third on 65 minutes.

Nunes was the provider again but it was all about the finish, Marmoush unleashing a spectacular 25-yard strike that was too good for Ramsdale.

City could have extended our advantage but this was a superb display and the perfect way to prepare for another huge week.

It also made it nine quarter-final appearances for City in 10 seasons under Pep Guardiola.

Another amazing statistic.

Teams

NEWCASTLE XI:  Ramsdale, Trippier (C) (Wissa 63), Thiaw, Botman, Hall (Livramento 79), Tonali, Willock, Woltemade, Elanga (Joelinton 63), Barnes, Osula (Burn 63)

Subs: Pope, J. Murphy, A. Murphy, Neave

CITY XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Stones (C), Ake, Nico, Reijnders, O’Reilly, Savinho (Foden 79), Doku (Cherki 79), Marmoush

Subs: Donnarumma, Dias, Guéhi, Rodri, Bernardo, Ait-Nouri, Semenyo

Att: 51,109

LETHAL WEAPON: Omar Marmoush celebrates with the travelling Blues.

Star player

Aside from his somewhat unusual goal, Savinho was quite outstanding for City right from the word go.

The Brazilian’s pace, power, courage and desire to take the fight to Newcastle at every opportunity were a joy to behold.

It served as one of if not his finest display since joining City in 2024.

And in tandem with the impressive Jeremy Doku on the opposite flank it demonstrated how threatening City are from wide positions.

Wing command indeed!

Depth charge

Pep Guardiola opted to make 10 changes for the trip to the Northeast with a packed fixtured schedule looming large ahead of us.

But a quite magnificent display again illustrated both the depth and quality of the Blues’ squad with the players coming in all making huge individual contributions.

The likes of John Stones, Nico, Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku and Tijjani Reijnders to name just a few - and of course two-goal Marmoush - all more than answered the call.

It was the latest reminder that every member of the City squad will be key looking forward to the decisive last three months of the season.

And it gave the boss the perfect selection headache ahead of next week’s mouth-watering trip to Real Madrid.

DUTCH MASTER: Nathan Ake weighs up the options

Pep’s reaction

“This is the best performance we have played in this stadium since my decade here.

“That is consistency and that is why I am proud.

“I am happy for John Stones for a long time he was injured, and he needs time to do his best. He was the captain today and he deserves it.

“Savinho. What a winger. One against one – he is so dangerous.”

marmoush reaction

“Amazing performance.

“We didn’t start so well and we conceded, but we showed that mentality and passion on the pitch, but we are happy to go to the next round.

“I am very happy to help the team with the goals, and we will keep going.

“I don’t know what the secret is, but I am happy to help the team again.”

ALL SMILES: Tijjani Reijnders' expression summed up the Saturday night atmosphere!

What it means

City are through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

We will now await the draw to discover who we will face in the last eight.

The quarter-final draw is scheduled to take place on Monday, March 9 at around 19.00pm (UK).

What’s next

City resume UEFA Champions League action on Wednesday, March 11 when we travel to play Real Madrid in the first leg of our Round of 16 clash.

Kick-off in the Bernabeu is slated for 20.00pm (UK)

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