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United KingdomThe last of the FA Cup fourth round ties took place on Sunday afternoon, as Premier League Chelsea and Manchester City recorded comfortable passages to the fifth round. If you missed Saturday’s action here is a recap. However, if you wish to find out what happened in Sunday’s two ties read on.
Antonio Conte’s team progressed past the Magpies and into the fifth round in comfortable fashion to ease the pressure on the under-fire Italian boss.
The Blues took the lead just after the half hour mark. Pedro found Eden Hazard on the left. Marcos Alonso nodded the Belgian’s cross on and striker Michy Batshuayi fired home past Karl Darlow in the visitor’s goal. Conte’s side doubled their lead on 41 minutes. Hazard was once again pivotal, as he teed up compatriot Batshuayi, whose effort took a heavy deflection off Jamaal Lascelles and found the net.
The home made it three on 72 minutes. Davide Zappacosta was fouled 25 yards out and Marcos Alonso curled a fantastic effort past Darlow. The goal was the Spaniard’s seventh of the season.
Next up for Chelsea is a home game with Bournemouth on Wednesday night, as Conte’s side attempt to consolidate their position in the top-four. Newcastle also play next on Wednesday night, as they host Burnley, in a game that could prove crucial in the Magpies survival chances.
Pep Guardiola’s side kept their hopes of recording an unprecedented quadruple alive in Wales with a comfortable victory in Wales.
The Citizens took just eight minutes to take the lead. German international midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was fouled on the edge of the Cardiff area. Kevin de Bruyne stepped up and hit a low free-kick under the Cardiff wall and past Neil Etheridge in the home goal.
City midfielder Bernardo Silva looked to have doubled City’s lead midway through the first half through a powerful effort from the edge of the area. Referee Lee Mason consulted with his assistant and the pair ruled that Leroy Sane was in an offside position and interfering with Etheridge, only for replays to prove that Sane was actually onside.
Guardiola’s side doubled their lead on 38 minutes. Danilo found Bernardo Silva who produced a pinpoint cross onto the head of Raheem Sterling and the forward headed past Etheridge. On the stroke of halt-time there was a major talking involving a reckless tackle from Joe Bennett on Sane. The defender received a booking, but the tackle was arguably worth a red card. The defender did see red in stoppage-time, as he received a second booking for a foul on City youngster Brahim Diaz.
Pep Guardiola’s side are favourites to win the trophy. Next up for the Citizens is a home game with West Brom in the Premier League on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Cardiff returns to Championship action on Saturday afternoon, as the Bluebirds visit Leeds United’s Elland Road.
City look set to seal a deal for Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte before the transfer window shuts, with a £60million reportedly set to take place in the next 24 hours.
Will Manchester City win the FA Cup this season?
