ST JAMES’ PARK — Newcastle United were taken over on Sunday night; unfortunately for them, it was by Manchester City.
During an alarmingly one-sided first half, which ended with City having 82 per cent possession, though only a one-goal lead via Kevin De Bruyne, the disparity between the clubs in terms of structure, resources and investment verged on embarrassing.
Thankfully Newcastle improved after the interval to make some kind of impression – and Dwight Gayle missed a glorious opportunity to make it 1-1 seconds after coming on – but it was City who moved into the FA Cup semi-finals, where they will meet an Arsenal team they outplayed in the league 12 days ago.
City, the holders, will take some stopping. They hammered Watford 6-0 in last year’s final, when justifiable questions were asked of the depth of strength in the Premier League.
During an uncomfortable first half here, those questions arose again. Newcastle had faced third-tier Rochdale in the third round but this was a greater mismatch.
Newcastle had needed a replay then. That was not on offer here, City’s superiority as crushing as it was predictable. Newcastle were 14-1 in a two horse race and City, led by De Bruyne on his 29th birthday, enforced it from kick-off.
De Bruyne had spoken of the determination to win the Cup again and City pressurised Newcastle into conceding a first corner after just 39 seconds.
It took 12 minutes before a first real chance fell to Riyad Mahrez and three more before Gabriel Jesus flicked a Kyle Walker cross inches wide. Karl Darlow then made two saves from Raheem Sterling. It was not a contest. It was an onslaught.
The gulf between two Premier League sides could be seen in the red faces of the chastened Newcastle players. There was no lack of commitment from them, which will act as a form of consolation to Steve Bruce, but players under this level of sustained attack always speak of mental tiredness. Perhaps that is why after 36 minutes Fabian Schar – normally a composed figure – pushed Jesus over in the area when the challenge was unnecessary.
From the spot, De Bruyne broke a deadlock that might have frustrated City had it lasted to half-time and beyond.
Bruce was not expected to go head-to-head with Pep Guardiola’s team, the sense being that he would need to either grind out a draw or spring a surprise.
It turned out the surprise was starting Andy Carroll, Bruce selecting him ahead of £40m Joelinton. It was a statement.
The tactic appeared to be to aim goal-kicks at Carroll’s towering presence in the hope he would win free-kicks. It was, at least, a plan.
Carroll did indeed earn fouls, but Newcastle were unable to exploit those positions. He also conceded a few. De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan, David Silva – the familiar passing rhythms were established early and if there was a criticism it was that too much of their attacking came through the middle. Newcastle had packed that area in 5-4-1 formation.
Bruce changed that to 4-1-4-1 at half-time and there was an immediate improvement. The risk was play become more expansive but it was worth it after such a demoralising opening 45.
After 20 minutes of this Bruce removed Carroll and brought on Gayle. He was found by a fast cross from Allan Saint-Maximin. Gayle was six yards out and had only Claudio Bravo near him. Gayle struck the ball over the bar. Even in an empty stadium there was a noisy reaction.
As Newcastle digested that, substitute Phil Foden slid a pass to Sterling and from 20 yards he bent a shot around Darlow into the bottom corner.
With that City were through; with that Newcastle’s sorry wait for a major domestic trophy limped into its 66th year.
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from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3g2YKra
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