Erling Haaland netted a masterful hat-trick to help Manchester City continue their fantastic lFA Cup run under Pep Guardiola by sealing a record-extending eighth consecutive semi-final with a comprehensive thrashing of Liverpool.
Guardiola was made to watch as a spectator as he served the second match of a touchline ban and he witnessed his side take apart Liverpool in a result that will pile the pressure on boss Arne Slot.
Man City’s previous match was at Wembley, when they triumphed over Premier League pacesetters Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, and the hosts backed that up with another impressive victory to close on a domestic cup double.
City had done little to threaten Giorgi Mamardashvili’s goal until taking the lead on 38 minutes when Haaland converted from the penalty spot, just as he did at Anfield in the league this season, following Virgil van Dijk’s clumsy trip on Nico O’Reilly.
The Norway striker had been on a relatively barren run in front of goal before this game but he then added a second by guiding a header into the far corner from Antoine Semenyo’s cross on the stroke of half-time.
Liverpool had played fluently earlier in the game at Etihad Stadium – with Florian Wirtz prominent – but their inability to convert the chances they created proved costly.
City failed to deal with a long ball over the top but Mohamed Salah, playing for the first time since announcing he will leave Anfield this summer, hesitated when through on goal and his effort was blocked wide.
He also later had a penalty saved by James Trafford while Hugo Ekitike’s strike from inside the area flew wastefully over.
City were much more clincical, as Semenyo clipped in a delightful finish early in the second half to make it 3-0 before Haaland completed his treble to seal City’s serene progression to the last four.
