LONDON:
Phil Foden hit twice Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win against Bristol City, while 2021 champions Leicester suffered a 2-1 defeat at second-placed Blackburn on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola’s side were never in danger of a major carnage in the fifth round at Ashton Gate thanks to Foden’s brace and the late Kevin De Bruyne.
Guardiola welcomed the impact of England forward Foden, who is starting to regain his form after an inconsistent season.
“His work has always been up, up, up. This season he struggled and lost a bit. But now he is back for the best of the season,” said Guardiola.
“His influence is amazing. Football pays when you work like him.”
City will hope for another improvement on Wednesday when Premier League leaders Arsenal, two points ahead of the champions, welcome Everton to their game in hand.
“We still live in three competitions, we will see what happens in the future,” Guardiola said.
City took the lead seven minutes later when Riyad Mahrez crossed the far post, which Foden fired into the roof of the net.
Foden doubled City’s lead after 74 minutes as Julian Alvarez headed in Foden, who produced another penalty. to and past Max O’Leary.
De Bruyne scored the visitors’ third from long range in the 81st minute to ensure the best of the night for the six-time FA Cup winners.
Leicester were knocked out by Blackburn as the Foxes attempted to reach their second FA Cup final in three seasons.
Brendan Rodgers guided Leicester to the club’s first FA Cup win in 2021, but Rovers’ worst defense from the Premier League ended their hopes of repeating that run.
With Leicester 14th in the table, just three points above the relegation zone, Rodgers made six changes to the side beaten by Arsenal at the weekend and paid the price for his gambling.
“If there’s anyone to blame it’s me, I made changes and unfortunately it didn’t work,” said Rodgers.
“We brought four players into the starting lineup who won the FA Cup a few seasons ago. But they were better than us and we have to worry about that.”
Rovers, in the last eight for the first time since 2015, took the lead when Tyrhys Dolan headed home from the edge of the area on 33 minutes.
Sammie Szmodics made it 2-0 seven minutes after the break after good work from Sam Gallagher.
Kelechi Iheanacho received Harvey Barnes’ pass in the 67th minute, but Blackburn stopped.
Manor Solomon scored for the fourth time in four games as Fulham beat Leeds 2-0 at Craven Cottage to reach the last eight for the first time since 2010.
Fulham, who surpassed all expectations to climb to sixth place in the Premier League this year, took the lead through 25-year-old Joao Palhinha in the 21st minute.
In front of Israel Solomon, on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, destroyed Leeds in the 56th minute, curling from the edge of the area after playing a one-two with Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Fulham can still dream of an FA Cup final appearance since 1975.
But it was a first defeat for new Leeds manager Javi Gracia, whose side won 1-0 against fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton at the weekend.
Brighton beat second division Stoke 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals for the third time in the last six seasons.
The Seagulls, who beat Liverpool in the fourth round, have remained in the hunt for an FA Cup final since 1983.
Brighton struck hard in the 30th minute when youngster Evan Ferguson met Kaoru Mitoma’s pass with a close range finish.
With four remaining fifth-round fixtures on Wednesday, League Cup winners Manchester United host West Ham, while Tottenham travel to Sheffield United.
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