Haaland achieves first hat trick for Man City as pressure mounts on Slot
Manchester City advanced to the FA Cup semifinals with a commanding 4-0 victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
Erling Haaland netted a hat trick, and Antoine Semenyo also scored as Pep Guardiola’s team secured their spot in the last four for an unprecedented eighth consecutive year.
All of City’s goals were scored in a rapid 18-minute burst surrounding half-time.
Liverpool’s disappointing day was epitomized by Mohamed Salah in his first match since announcing his departure from Anfield this summer. The Egyptian forward squandered two excellent opportunities and later had a second-half penalty saved by James Trafford.
This outcome provided City with an ideal start to a critical stretch of fixtures, with significant Premier League matches against Chelsea and Arsenal approaching in the next fortnight.
On the other hand, Liverpool must quickly regroup as they prepare for a challenging Champions League match against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
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Haaland displays former brilliance
Haaland’s difficulties since the beginning of the year are well-known. He received what Norway manager Stale Solbakken referred to as “special treatment” during international duty, participating in only one of the two matches.
Based on Saturday’s performance, the additional rest may have been beneficial. After confidently converting a penalty to give City the lead, he appeared to regain his form with his second goal. Semenyo’s cross was lofted into the box, and Haaland swiftly moved past Ibrahima KonatΓ© to direct his header into the corner. He added a third goal after the break, marking his first hat trick for City since August 2024.
The execution of his second goal was quintessential Haaland β a type of goal he has struggled to score since December.
This is promising for City. Their Champions League exit to Real Madrid has opened up their schedule, allowing Haaland to benefit from additional recovery time between matches.
If he can recapture the form he displayed before Christmas, City will have a chance to add the FA Cup and the Premier League title to the Carabao Cup, which they have already secured after defeating title rivals Arsenal. — Rob Dawson
Salah’s farewell tour begins poorly
If this marks the beginning of Salah’s farewell tour, it is reasonable to assume that his concluding chapter will not reflect the greatness of what has been one of the most illustrious careers in Liverpool’s history.
There was some anticipation that, following his announcement of leaving Anfield at the season’s end, Salah’s remaining weeks on Merseyside would allow him to play with increased freedom and creativity. However, it currently appears that may not be the case.
Like many of his Liverpool teammates, Salah started positively at the Etihad Stadium, but the first sign of his declining form came when he missed Liverpool’s initial significant opportunity of the match, sending it wide to the disapproval of City fans within 15 minutes. His luck did not improve from there. He sent a curled shot well off target before having his penalty saved by Trafford and ultimately being substituted.
Having previously contributed to 21 Liverpool goals against City (13 goals and eight assists), Salah has long been a formidable adversary for Guardiola, but his latest ineffective performance highlighted why a separation this summer may be beneficial for all involved. — Lindop
Pressure mounts on Liverpool manager Slot
As the City players passed the ball around with alarming ease in the second half, the home supporters chanted at Slot: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.”
This is a refrain the Liverpool head coach has become accustomed to hearing this season as his team’s campaign has taken a significant downturn. Earlier in the season, such chants were lighthearted, but they now carry a more serious tone for Slot, who experienced his most significant defeat as Liverpool manager on Saturday.
Liverpool’s ownership, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), has continued to support the Dutchman despite the team’s challenges this season, recognizing that injuries, squad transitions, and sheer misfortune have complicated his task. While there has been considerable justification for Liverpool’s disappointing season, the ongoing poor performances and inconsistent results make it difficult to argue a strong case for Slot’s long-term position.
If Liverpool were to face another humiliating exit in the Champions League, it would be challenging to see how he could regain the backing of an already disenchanted fanbase. — Lindop
Liverpool no longer ‘mentality monsters’
play2:26Virgil van Dijk: I feel sorry for the fans after defeat vs. Man City
Virgil van Dijk reflects on Liverpool’s 4-0 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
For Liverpool, this was a familiar narrative. Arriving at the Etihad as underdogs, Slot’s team performed well in the opening half hour and arguably created the two best chances of the match through Salah and Hugo Ekitike.
It seemed the match was set to be a closely contested affair until Virgil van Dijk’s awkward challenge on Nico O’Reilly resulted in a penalty for City. From the moment Haaland scored to put the hosts ahead, it became evident there would be only one victor.
As has often been the case this season, Liverpool faltered under pressure, and their chances of recovery diminished further when they conceded a second goal in the dying moments of first-half stoppage time. Their subsequent collapse after the interval means they have now won only two of the 19 matches in which they have conceded the first goal this season (compared to seven of 24 last season).
A team once labeled “mentality monsters” under former manager JΓΌrgen Klopp now appears ill-equipped to handle any setbacks. Liverpool’s lack of resilience has already cost them significantly this season. Without substantial improvement in this area, the conclusion of this tumultuous campaign could lead to disaster. — Beth Lindop
Guardiola sets remarkable 150-year FA Cup record
Guardiola often expresses his desire to claim “all the records” before departing City, and he has just achieved another milestone.
His team has now won their last 18 home matches in the FA Cup, breaking a record that has stood for nearly 150 years.
Clapham Rovers won 17 home cup matches between December 1873 and February 1881. This was so long ago that Clapham Rovers no longer exist, having been dissolved in 1914 following the onset of the First World War.
Victory over Liverpool also secured an eighth consecutive semifinal appearance, extending their own record of seven, established last season.
Guardiola’s City has not lost an FA Cup match away from Wembley since their elimination by Wigan Athletic in 2018. One more victory this season will make City the first team to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals.
Considering he has also won the Carabao Cup five times, Guardiola’s achievements in domestic cup competitions during his tenure in England are exceptional.
Another trip to Wembley is on the horizon, presenting another opportunity to create even more history. — Dawson
