Erling Haaland scored his first hat-trick of the season as Manchester City demolished Liverpool 4-0 in a practically perfect FA Cup quarter-final tie at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland bagged a penalty late in the first half and soon followed it with a header to complete a wonderful team move from Pep Guardiola’s side, who stormed into the FA Cup semi-finals for an eighth consecutive season.
Antoine Semenyo effectively killed the game off early in the second half before Haaland struck again to secure his 12th treble for City. A great day for the hosts got even better when James Trafford saved Mohamed Salah’s penalty, giving the Egyptian a terrible send off in a fixture in which he has starred on so many occasions.
Goalkeeper & Defence
James Trafford (8/10):
Didn’t have to make a save in the first half but stayed alert to deny Salah early in the second half before keeping the Egyptian’s penalty out.
Matheus Nunes (6/10):
Started the move leading to the sumptuous second goal. Gave away the penalty by tripping Ekitike but it mattered not.
Abdukodir Khusanov (8/10):
Showed again why he is City fans’ new cult hero with a lightning-quick sprint to chase down and harass Salah.
Marc Guehi (6/10):
Made a shaky start against the team he almost joined when his clearance went straight to Szoboszlai, but from then on it was plain sailing.
Nico O’Reilly (7/10):
Won the penalty which got the ball rolling and played a part in Semenyo’s goal before assisting Haaland’s third. Made the difference for the second game running.
Midfield
Bernardo Silva (7/10):
Responsible for some beautiful passes in the latest masterclass of his farewell tour.
Rodri (6/10):
Not the best performance from a player whose radio interview in Spain last week rubbed some City fans up the wrong way. His touch was poor and he gifted Ekitike a chance which the Frenchman wasted.
Rayan Cherki (8/10):
At his menacing best. Brushed off a horrible touch early on to weave his usual magic, dovetailing to devastating effect with Semenyo.
Attack
Antoine Semenyo (8/10):
Played a delicious cross for Haaland to head home while his own cheeky finish highlighted his soaring confidence and how well he has settled into the City team.
Erling Haaland (9/10):
His effortless penalty was his first whiff of danger, but it turned out he was just biding his time as from then on he was at his ruthless best.
Jeremy Doku (6/10):
The weaker link of City’s incredible attack as nothing really went his way and most of the damage was done on the opposite flank.
