LONDON (REUTERS) The "impossible" quadruple dream remains intact for Manchester City after an early headed goal from Gabriel Jesus sealed a scrappy 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday (April 6) to put them into the FA Cup final.
Jesus launched himself into the air to connect decisively in the third minute but City never hit top gear and they rather laboured to victory in an instantly forgettable match.
Nevertheless, after bagging the League Cup, being locked in a titanic battle with Liverpool for the Premier League title and in the Champions League quarter-finals, Pep Guardiola's side remain on course for an unprecedented clean sweep.
It was a tired-looking display against Premier League relegation battlers Brighton, though, and City will need to rediscover their spark ahead of Tuesday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their Champions League last-eight tie.
Guardiola was quick to play down the "Q" word.
"My opinion is that nobody has done it (won the quadruple) so why can we do it?," Guardiola said.
"It is almost impossible to achieve everything, that is the truth. Our fans will come, more than today, for the final, we are losing players every game but still we will try to do it.
"I am happy to be in the final, we extend our season by one more week and we are happy for that."
Â
Back at Wembley where they beat Chelsea on penalties to win the League Cup in February, City were huge favourites to get past a Brighton side with other things on their mind.
Whatever plan Brighton boss Chris Hughton had cooked up to stop a City side who had won 20 of their last 22 matches in all competitions was in tatters after only three minutes.
In one of the only fluid moves they put together all afternoon at a less-than-full Wembley, Kevin de Bruyne whipped in a superb low cross and Jesus arrived at the far post to plant a diving header past Brighton keeper Matthew Ryan.
The Brighton fans, who greatly outnumbered City's in the 71,000 crowd, must have feared the worst in the south coast's club's first FA Cup semi-final since 1983 when they beat Sheffield Wednesday before losing the final to Manchester United in a replay after the first game ended 2-2.
But the onslaught never arrived.
And had City fullback Kyle Walker been shown a red card during the first half after a clash with Alireza Jahanbakhsh the outcome could have been different.
REACTED ANGRILY
Walker reacted angrily after being shoved in the back and as the players squared up face to face, he appeared to move his head into Jahanbakhsh forehead.
The incident went to the VAR, which is being used in the FA Cup, but referee Anthony Taylor was not required to send Walker off, although he was replaced at halftime by Danilo.
"I have seen it a few times and my opinion is it is a red card," Hughton said. "If Alireza goes down clutching his head it would have been a different outcome."
Brighton gradually grew in belief and but for a superb goal-line clearance by Aymeric Laporte they could have drawn level, the Frenchman hacking clear just when Glenn Murray seemed poised to equalise early in the second half.
Hughton's side caused the occasional problem from set-pieces and with City unusually lethargic the result was never in the bag until referee Anthony Taylor blew for fulltime.
City will face the winners of Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers who meet in the second semi-final on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool's 'massive' points haul as he urges Reds to 'write our own history' Total of 42 points after 16 league matches is the club's best ever tally at this stage of a top
Jurgen Klopp hails Mohamed Salah after his brilliant solo
Rose confident Spurs can cope without Kane and Alli. Manchester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (left) vies with Tottenham Hotspur's English defender Danny Rose during the Uefa Champions
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope without Kane and Alli
The Women's World Cup kicks off Friday in Paris. Twenty-four teams will traverse France for the next month in pursuit of football's most prestigious trophy. Here are five players to watch during
Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina has been discharged from hospital and is recovering from his frightening collapse after a knock to the head at the weekend, the Serie A club announced on Monday. The
Napoli 'keeper Ospina out of hospital after head injury scare
To find streamers for Destiny, see our Community Streamer Page. No advertising, selling, trying to buy, trading, or begging. Any user who wishes to make a giveaway, contest (with prizes), or charity post must receive approval from moderators BEFORE making the post.
Premier League: Southampton Stun Fading Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle Edge Five-Goal Everton Thriller Updated: 09 March 2019 23:03 IST Mauricio Pochettino's men threw away an early lead through
Football: Southampton stun fading Spurs, Newcastle edge five
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has apologised to Swansea for the goal that shouldn't have stood as the blues beat the Swans to progress to the semi-final of the FA Cup. With the score at 2-2, Aguero's diving header broke Swansea hearts, but replays showed the striker was marginally offside when the ball was played.
'I am so sorry' Pep Guardiola apologises to Watford for
Luis Enrique dismissed suggestions Alvaro Morata is low on confidence after the Spain striker drew a blank in a 2-1 home win against Norway.. Spain got their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign up and
Spain get better of Sweden as Ireland labour against Gibraltar
Football: Watford's Gray strikes to sink Everton, pile pressure on Silva WATFORD, England (REUTERS) - Substitute Andre Gray scored a second-half winner as Watford beat Marco Silva's Everton 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday (Feb 9) to heap the pressure on their former manager.
Watford's Gray strikes to sink Everton, pile pressure on Silva
Man United Miss Out On Top Four After Draw With Huddersfield by ogbiwa: 7:16am On May 06 Manchester United will have to settle for Europa League football next season after being held by a Huddersfield side who were relegated in March.
What Man United's draw with Huddersfield means for Arsenal
We show you the best way to live stream the Chicago Cubs online without cable. Compare DIRECTV NOW, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV, Xfinity Instant TV, or YouTube TV. Learn how to get a free trial and start watching your local RSN, ESPN, Fox, FS1, TBS, & MLB Network.
How to Watch Cubs Games Online Without Cable in 2018 | Heavy.com
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen