The FA Cup returned this weekend for the quarter final stage, with Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester City all bidding for a place in the semi-finals.
Park Life Sport’s Jack Goodridge gives you a rundown on all of the action.
City keep quadruple hopes alive
Pep Guardiola’s City side were looking to continue their bid for a historic quadruple as they took on Everton in the sixth round.
On the back of their mid-week Champions League tie against Borussia Monchengladbach, City made six changes, and they struggled to find their usual rhythm as the Toffees sat back in resolute defence.
Guardiola’s men dominated the game with 74% possession, but Yerry Mina had the best chance of the first half with a headed effort that was cleared off the line.
The game looked destined for extra time before Aymeric Laporte found space in the box and struck the bar. Once again, City’s unexpected hero Ilkay Gundogun was first to react and headed home to give the league leaders a deserved lead.
Second half substitute Kevin De Bruyne then fired in a second goal in the 90th minute to secure a 25th win in their last 26 games.
Everton rarely threatened the City back line, but it was a commendable effort from Ancelotti’s men against an imperious City side that look destined to keep breaking records.
Guardiola’s men will now face in-form Chelsea in the semi-final at Wembley in April.
Foxes dominate the Red Devils
In perhaps the tie of the round, top four rivals Leicester City and Man United met at the King Power in a high-scoring affair.
Fred made a catastrophic mistake to hand Kelechi Iheanacho a gift of an opening goal, but United levelled the scores 14 minutes later when Donny Van de Beek cleverly dummied the ball for an on rushing Mason Greenwood who fired past Kasper Schmeichel.
The Foxes re-took the lead after half time when Youri Tielemans drove through the lacklustre United midfield and fired a shot into the bottom left corner.
Iheanacho scored his second of the game to confirm victory with 12 minutes left to play with a clever header at the back post.
Leicester will now compete in their first FA Cup semi-final in 39 years when they take on Southampton at Wembley.
The loss highlighted United’s midfield frailties and makes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s task of winning a first trophy a whole lot harder.
The Thomas Tuchel revolution continues
Last seasons beaten finalists Chelsea were in action against struggling Sheffield United in the third tie of the round.
The Blues opened the scoring when Oliver Norwood turned into his own net from a driven Ben Chilwell cross.
As the Blades pushed for a late equaliser to keep their FA Cup dreams alive, substitute Hakim Ziyech fired in a second for the eight-time winners to secure a 2-0 victory.
With 10 wins and four draws in his opening 14 games, Thomas Tuchel has certainly revolutionised this Chelsea side with his five at the back system and ruthless decision making. The Blues will pose a real challenge to City in the semi-final, and the match will be a test to see how far the Londoners have come.
As for the Blades, there was no signs of a group that had downed tools after the departure of Chris Wilder. Although they may be destined for the Championship, United were competitive at Stamford Bridge, and may count themselves unlucky not to have scored an equalising goal.
Southampton dominate south-coast rivals
Southampton brushed aside promotion chasing Bournemouth in the first tie of the round with a dominant 3-0 victory.
Moussa Djenepo opened the scoring with a clever curling finish past Asmir Begovic and Nathan Redmond doubled the scoring with a superb solo effort in the 46th minute.
After scoring and assisting a goal in the first half, Redmond capped off a Man of the Match display with a second goal in the 59th minute to secure a dominant victory.
It was an impressive performance from the Saints who were able to put their Premier League form to one side and progress to Wembley. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men will face a tough task when they take on Leicester at Wembley in the semi-final.
As for Bournemouth, it was a reminder that they’re still a way off Premier League quality, but they will be proud of their run to the quarter finals despite their troubles in the Championship.
