Erling Haaland scored his sixth hat trick of the season after Manchester City defeated Burnley in the FA Cup quarterfinals to spoil Vincent Kompany’s return to Etihad Stadium.
Kompany received a warm reception from the fans who watch him win a lot of trophies at the club.
Early in the first half, Manchester City had a 20-yard shot by Rodri, but Burnley defenders put their bodies on the line to block the shot from going into the net.
A few minutes later, Burnley recorded their first shot on target, with Stella cutting through the Manchester City defender, but club goalkeeper Ortega saved the shot brilliantly.
In the 25th minute, Burnley had another chance from the corner, but Ortega claimed the ball.
The pressure kept growing on Manchester City, and Guardiola continued passing tactical information to the players.
The Burnley side was not allowing Manchester City any breathing room.
Minutes later, Manchester City got their real first chance after Phil Foden founded Erling Haaland in the Burnley 18-yard box, but the Norwegian striker’s header was not clinical enough.
Manchester City scored the first goal through Haaland, with Foden creating the chance for the striker.
Two minutes later, after scoring the first goal, Haaland got the second goal.
That goal was Haaland’s 41st of the season in all competitions, with Manchester City still having 19 more matches to play.
Before the end of the first 45 minutes, Foden created another chance, but it couldn’t reach the two Manchester City defenders in the box.
Burnley’s Maatsen almost had the ball in the Manchester City net, but it was cleared by the Manchester City players after an Ortega save.
In the second half, Burnley goalkeeper Peacock-Farrell made his first reasonable save after stopping Kylie Walker’s shot from going into the net.
Walker took advantage of Riyad Mahrez’s
cross, but it was not enough for Manchester City to extend their lead.
Haaland was denied a hat trick when he overpowered the Burnley defense, but his effort was saved by Peacock Farrell.
A few minutes after he was denied, the striker got the hat trick, and Foden was on another assist for the day.
Foden’s effort hit the post, and the rebounce got to Haaland, who slotted in goal number three of the match. It is Haaland’s sixth hat trick of the season.
Manchester City got their fourth goal in the 62nd minute through Julian Alvarez, who tapped it in.
Burnley failed to deal with the pace of Kevin De Bruyne, and Mahrez created the chance for the Argentine striker.
Manchester City’s Palmer made it 5-0. It was looking embarrassing for Kompany on his return to Etihad Stadium, and it is the manager’s heaviest defeat this season.
The current Champions of England are running riot here, with Alvarez getting his second goal of the game and making it 6-0. Manchester City looked unstoppable in the second half, and Guardiola is looking at every pass and goal.
Manchester City have now qualified for the FA Cup semi-finals for the fourth time in four seasons.
They wait for the semi-final draw after Brighton vs. Grimsby. There are likely to meet Manchester United or Brighton in Wembly.
Guardiola will be looking forward to winning the FA Cup this season.
What’s next for Manchester City and Burnley?
Manchester City will return to its Premier League race when they welcome Liverpool on April 1, 2023.
Manchester City need to close the gap between them and Arsenal.
Burnley, on the other hand, faces Sunderland on March 31, 2023. Kompany will demand the best from his team as they hope to return to the Premier League next season.
