London –
Riyad Mahrez’s hat-trick kept Manchester City’s bid three times higher.
Days after Pep Guardiola’s side reached the Champions League semi-finals, they secured their place in the FA Cup final with a 3-0 win over Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
City can also take control of the English Premier League title battle when they face leaders Arsenal on Wednesday.
They haven’t won anything yet, but in a mood like this, they need a great performance from their opponents to undermine City’s bid for relentless treble.
Manchester United are the only English team to have won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in one season in 1999. This is something United and its fans can be proud of, not to be outdone by Guardiola.
“They don’t have to be scared (we emulate them),” he joked. I said yes.”
United could still have a say in City’s chances of winning the trophy. The side, led by Eric Tenhag, will face Brighton in the second leg of his FA Cup semi-final on Sunday and have a chance to set up an all-his Manchester final in June.
City also face a significant test of overtaking 14-time champions Real Madrid in the last four of the Champions League.
But the defending Premier League champions have taken on an ominous look as they extended their unbeaten streak to 16 games with a winning streak against Sheffield.
A potential historic FA Cup shock was effectively ended when Mahrez shot from the penalty spot after Daniel Jevison fouled Bernardo Silva in the box.
Mahrez doubled City’s lead in the 61st inning when he ran straight through the center of the Sheffield defense and fired past Wes Foderingham.
The third came five minutes later when Jack Grealish’s pass was home.
City need not be at their devastating best and top scorer Erling Haaland has failed to add 48 goals in a modest performance this season.
Mahrez, who didn’t play in either leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich, suffered the damage.
“He’s always grumpy when he’s not playing. It makes me realize his grumpiness,” said Guardiola. “He’s an extraordinary player on the big stage.”
City’s result in the FA Cup semi-final for the sixth time in seven seasons ended a three-game losing streak at this stage.
Leicester finally win
A first win in 11 games saw Leicester move out of the relegation zone. Despite falling behind his Cunha goals, Kelechi his Ijeanacho and Timothy Castagna scored and Fox King beat Wolverhampton 2–1 at his Power Stadium, on goal difference. came out of the bottom three.
It was a good start for new manager Dean Smith in charge of his first home game since replacing the fired Brendan Rodgers.
This meant Everton fell to 18th place despite a credible 0–0 draw at Crystal Palace in form that highlighted the Merseyside club’s struggles in front of goal.
The Toffees have scored only 24 times, the lowest in the league.
Leeds lose again
Leeds avoided a three-game losing streak, but a 2–1 loss to Fulham was another blow to the Yorkshire club’s fight to avoid the drop.
They have conceded 11 goals in their last two games, losing 1-1 to Palace and 6-1 to Liverpool.
Harry Wilson and Andreas Pereira put Fulham ahead by two before a Joao Parinha own goal.
Tuesday’s home game against Leicester could be absolutely crucial for both sides’ survival hopes.
liverpool survey form
Jürgen Klopp recorded his 100th league title at Anfield after Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.
But perhaps more importantly, Liverpool’s second straight win marked the much-needed turnaround in an inconsistent campaign.
Relegation threatened Forest came back twice before the 70th Mohamed Salah winner.
Diogo Jota led Liverpool twice in the second half and Forest responded with Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs White.
“We conceded two goals too easily. In a game like this you have to control possession,” said Klopp. “You don’t have to force it, and you can force it.”
The loss increased the pressure on Forest manager Steve Cooper in an 11-game winless run.
“We lost a soccer game and it’s been holding us back, so nobody’s going to be happy to get out of here,” he said. I know, but without worrying about the Premier League, it’s one of the most difficult away games in Europe and we have to take some of the mind and mentality away.”
Brentford owns a vacation home
Aston Villa’s five-game winning streak was interrupted by a 1–1 draw at Brentford.
The Midlands club have ignited hopes of an unlikely push to the top four after winning seven of their last eight matches before Saturday’s game. However, after a goal from Ivan Tony put Brentford on the brink of victory, Douglas Lewis scored in the 87th inning to give Villa a draw.
Villa coach Unai Emery said: “We can play better and we have to demand better in the next game.
