Manchester City made history by securing their first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy last season, capping off the 2022/23 season with a treble, as they retained the Premier League and won the FA Cup. In December 2023, they clinched the FIFA Club World Cup, securing their status as world champions.
Now the Sky Blues are on a quest to defend their domestic honors and, so far, have encountered no significant difficulties in the world’s oldest club competition, the Football Association Challengers Cup, for the 2023/24 season. Pep Guardiola’s side has advanced to the semi-final, defeating Newcastle United and writing another new record in the process.
Manchester City set unique FA Cup record
Manchester City, the reigning champions, host struggling Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter-final at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, fresh off a 1-1 draw in the high-stakes clash against Liverpool the previous weekend. This draw came alongside securing their place in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League.
The hosts were without two of their key players: Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, sidelined for four weeks, and their Belgian maestro Kevin De Bruyne, due to groin injury. Despite these absences and significant changes to the starting eleven, the Citizens still managed to put on a dominant display, overcoming the Magpies 2-0, thanks to a pair of deflected goals from Bernardo Silva.
Following the home victory, Pep Guardiola and company made their way to the semi-final of the competition for a record six consecutive final-four appearances.
With their recent victory over Newcastle, City has become the first-ever English club to qualify for six successive FA Cup semi-finals. They are now one step closer to clinching their third prestigious domestic title under the former Barcelona boss, having previously won the competition in the 2018/19 and 2022/23 seasons.
Manchester City’s road to FA Cup semi-final
The treble winners aim to replicate last season’s success at Wembley Stadium. However, they await the determination of their semi-final opponents. Alongside Manchester City, the other semi-finalists include Coventry City, Chelsea, and either Liverpool or Manchester United, rounding out the competition’s final four.
The Citizens began their domestic title defense in January with a triumphant 5-0 victory over Huddersfield Town at home in the 3rd round.
In the subsequent rounds, they traveled to North London, securing a 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur, followed by a 6-1 demolition of Luton Town.
In the fifth-round tie against Luton Town, Erling Haaland stole the spotlight by scoring five goals, setting a distinguished record as the only Premier League player to achieve this feat in a single match across all competitions.
Do you think Manchester City can win the FA Cup this time around?
