Everton v Manchester City Live Commentary & Result, 20/03/2021, FA Cup

That is all from this FA Cup quarter-final, until next time!

The Citizens hopes of the quadruple are still alive, despite Guardiola constantly reminding his players to take one game at a time. They return to league action with a trip to Leicester City before facing Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Everton, who crash out at the quarter-final stage of the cup, remain in pursuit of the European spots in the Premier League and they next host Crystal Palace.

After a fairly uneventful 80 minutes or so, Gundogan finally opened the scoring with a diving header after Virginia's initial smart save from Laporte. With Everton throwing all their players forward in search of an equaliser, De Bruyne then doubled the visitors' lead to confirm City's FA Cup semi-final place for the third consecutive season. Down the other end, Richarlison went the closest for the hosts but couldn't beat Steffen, which is why City run out 2-0 winners at Goodison Park.

90' + 4' FULL-TIME: EVERTON 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY

90' + 2' The Everton players surrounded Oliver after De Bruyne's goal as they felt Mina had been caught by Mahrez's high boot. VAR, however, confirmed this wasn't the case, despite the hosts' best protestations for the last minute or so. Replays show Mahrez did have his foot in the air but he barely went to challenge Mina so the centre-back can have no complaints.

K. De Bruyne

Goal

90' GOOOALLLLL! 2-0 CITY! Rodri plays in De Bruyne through the middle and the Belgian finishes this FA Cup tie with a powerful left-footed finish into the bottom-right corner from inside the area. Initially, Mina feels he was fouled by Mahrez, which is why Everton surround the referee straight after the goal. Oliver, however, isn't having it and VAR backs up the original decision before confirming De Bruyne was also onside.

Rodri

Assist

90' After Mina's poor headed clearance, the ball falls to Rodri, who slides in De Bruyne through the middle to double the visitors' lead.

Rodri

İ. Gündoğan

90' Scorer of what could prove to be the winner, Gundogan, is brought off for the more defensive option of Rodri.

89' Calvert-Lewin sees his second effort in as many minutes blocked by Walker. Down the other end, Zinchenko stands up a cross for Mahrez on the break, however, Mina clatters into the Algerian and manages to clear. A few City players appeal for a penalty but referee Oliver isn't interested.

88' The visitors keep an extremely high line for Sigurdsson's deep set-piece. The Icelandic finds the head of Calvert-Lewin but the striker's efforts rolls tamely through to Steffen, who dives on the ball.

A. Iwobi

M. Holgate

87' Ancelotti has to attack now and he sends on Iwobi for defender Holgate.

86' City are looking to reach the FA Cup semi-final in three consecutive seasons for the first time since doing so between 1931-32 and 1933-34. Gundogan's late goal here has set them well on their way to achieving the feat now.

İ. Gündoğan

Goal

84' GOOOALLLLL!!!! 1-0 CITY! Laporte finds himself unusually far forward and pokes an effort from inside the area towards goal, which Virginia manages to palm onto his crossbar. The rebound breaks to Gundogan and, with the goalkeeper still on the floor, he produces a diving header into an empty net to open the scoring. Mina did his best to recover as the nearest defender but even he couldn't get close to the German to deny him the opportunity.

83' Foden, who has been City's driving force here, again tests Virginia with a low, left-footed shot towards the far-right corner. The goalkeeper, however, sees it all the way and comfortably saves before attempting to unleash the run of Richarlison up top.

82' A reminder that if the scores stay level, this FA Cup tie will be on its way to extra-time and then, if required, penalties. Guardiola, with City's busy schedule, will be hoping it doesn't get that far.

81' Foden dances past a few of the hosts' defenders, racing to the byline and drilling a low ball across the face of goal. Jesus looks set to pounce but Godfrey intercepts before the Brazilian can take the shooting opportunity.

K. De Bruyne

R. Sterling

80' Sterling, who had missed out on the last three starting elevens prior to this fixture, comes off for De Bruyne.

78' Sterling throws himself to the floor under pressure from Holgate but referee Oliver isn't convinced as he shakes his head and insists the City player gets up. Virginia then takes an age to pick up the ball and that perhaps signals Everton's intentions for the last ten minutes or so.

76' Calvert-Lewin whips a pass over the top of City's defence for Digne to chase but the left-back is never going to win a race against Walker. City regain possession and follow the same pattern as before, working it from side to side in an attempt to carve out an opening.

André Gomes

Yellow Card

75' Referee Oliver plays advantage before going back and booking Gomes for an earlier foul in midfield.

74' Gundogan, Foden and Mahrez all try to intricately play through the hosts' defence but none of them can find a way through. Ancelotti will be impressed with his side's resolute defending but they have shown very little up front so far.

73' Coleman ventures forward, overlapping Sigurdsson but the Icelandic international ignores the run of his wing-back. After working space for himself, however, Sigurdsson fails to beat the first man with his cross and Calvert-Lewin is once again left with little to feed off.

71' Mahrez and Gundogan hover over a wide set-piece and they nearly catch the hosts out by playing quickly to Zinchenko. The left-back looks to power a long-range effort towards goal but Mina and Holgate are there to block before Virginia is needed to be called upon.

70' Mina cannons a clearance into Sterling and the centre-back carries on into the Englishman with a tackle straight after. Richarlison then breaks down the other end but with no team-mates around him, he struggles to hold-up the ball and City intervene.

69' Ancelotti's men have won their last four FA Cup home games, last winning five in a row at Goodison Park between January 1999 and January 2000. Can they find a way past City here to make it five on the bounce?

68' Digne slowly wanders to the edge of the area after winning a corner for his side on the left. Sigurdsson takes it, however, the visitors deal with the cross before Gomes fires a right-footed volley wide of Steffen's goal.

66' WIDE! Mahrez drills into the feet of Foden and, with Everton dropping off, the English youngster advances towards the D. Foden then sets his sights on the bottom left corner, smashing a left-footed effort to Virginia's right but it goes wide of the target and out for a goal-kick.

65' Mahrez's first involvement sees him drift inwards and away from Digne. The left-back will now have a different attacking proposition to consider to stop the Algerian from getting on his magical left foot. For now, however, City remain patient and work it from side to side.

R. Mahrez

Bernardo Silva

64' City make the first change of the game as Mahrez makes his way on for Silva.

62' How long will it be before Guardiola is tempted to dip into the wealth of quality on his bench? De Bruyne, Mahrez and Aguero are all still watching on as it stands but it looks like the Algerian could be the first to be introduced.

61' This FA Cup quarter-final has opened up in the last few minutes but it is still far from an end-to-end affair. Guardiola's men, as is usually the case with them, continue to dominate possession but as of yet they have nothing to show for their hard work.

59' SAVE! Fernandinho goes another driving run, beating Mina and making it to the byline. The Brazilian then pulls back to near the penalty spot for Sterling, who unleashes a right-footed first-time strike towards the bottom right corner. Virginia gets across well to turn it around the post and that chance represents the best opportunity of the game so far.

58' WIDE! Sigurdsson arrows the set-piece towards the far post, where City deal with the initial cross. The loose ball falls to Richarlison, who has space but manages to poke his right-footed volley wide of Steffen's goal to the left.

Fernandinho

Yellow Card

57' For the foul on Richarlison in the middle of the park, Fernandinho becomes the next man in Oliver's book. Whether it was for the cynical nature of the tackle or an accumulation of fouls, Fernandinho can't have too many complaints.

56' Sterling escapes the attentions of Coleman, Mina and Gomes but then opts to play backwards as the visitors remain patiently waiting for an opportunity to test Virginia. Everton, in contrast, race forward on the counter-attack when they get the chance and Richarlison does well to win a free-kick in the middle.

54' Coleman powers down the right-hand channel, coasting past Zinchenko but his right-footed cross towards the near post is wasteful. With Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison waiting at the far post, the wing-back's cross will frustrate the forwards, who had a little bit of space in behind Dias and Laporte.

52' Fernandinho surprises Ancelotti's defence, dancing around a few tackles and making it into the area. The Brazilian, with space opening up in front of him, then strangely chooses to play wide to Sterling and the hosts regroup to shelter City away from goal.

51' Guardiola's men haven't lost a single game in all competitions this season when goalless at half-time (P8 W6 D2), whilst Everton have lost six of their nine such matches prior to today (W3).

50' Sterling twists and turns in the box but he can't escape the tackle of Mina. City think they have a corner but referee Oliver disagrees as he points for a goal-kick, which Virginia smashes long.

49' Zinchenko applauds the pass from Walker, however, he will be less pleased with the effort from Sterling. The Englishman has acres of space on the edge of the area but he blasts wildly high and wide of Everton's goal.

48' Gomes offers the visitors a free-kick in a good area to the left. Gundogan drives the set-piece towards the front post but Richarlison does well to intervene before the strike can trouble Virginia.

47' Silva evades a few tackles on his way to the byline and stands up a cross back towards the D. Foden steps in front of Fernandinho to collect the pass but he gets crowded out and City have to settle for a corner.

46' Both sets of players have returned after half-time and the second half gets underway!

Guardiola's men have dominated possession and they need a bit of magic to carve out an opportunity. Perhaps the Spaniard will look to De Bruyne or Mahrez off the bench soon, in an attempt to fire the Citizens towards the semi-finals. Ancelotti will be happy with his team's defensive performance so far but he may be asking for Everton to be more clinical when chances do arise up top.

The players wander down the tunnel at half-time with the scores level at 0-0. In what has been far from a vintage FA Cup clash, Richarlison and Mina have both gone close for the hosts, while at the other end, Sterling forced a routine save from Virginia. Barring those chances, both sides have struggled for fluency as they appear to be cancelling each other out.

45' + 1' HALF-TIME: EVERTON 0-0 MANCHESTER CITY

45' + 1' Walker offloads to Foden, who moves in from the right to drill a low, left-footed effort towards Virginia's goal. The hosts, however, stand firm to deflect it behind for a corner, which then comes to nothing.

45' There will be one minute of added time as this FA Cup quarter-final closes in on half-time.

44' OFF THE LINE! Digne whips his set-piece towards the near post, where Mina gets above Fernandinho to flick a header towards the far corner. Steffen remains motionless but Zinchenko is on the line to calmly head away from danger to keep the scores level at 0-0.

43' Sigurdsson disguises a pass into the feet of Calvert-Lewin, who offloads to Richarlison on his right. The Brazilian then races down the channel and wins another corner for the home side. Mina, Holgate and Godfrey make their way up - can they grab a goal just before half-time?

41' This is a game of contrasting play styles as Ancelotti allows Guardiola's side to have the ball as much as they want while they struggle to break Everton down. To sum it up, Gomes (10) has made the hosts' most passes, compared to City's most, Walker, who has made 50 for the away side.

40' Everton deal with the initial corner but Dias then crops up at the back post to head back across goal. Jesus looks interested for a minute inside the area before Holgate deals with the danger, flicking away a clearance towards Coleman on the right.

39' Gomes is lucky the away side don't capitalise after needlessly giving the ball away in midfield. City do, however, win a corner on the left-hand side, courtesy of Mina's block from Foden's attempted cross.

37' Gundogan moves the free-kick quickly across to Sterling, who fails to take the opportunity and Richarlison wins it off the Englishman. The hosts, however, struggle to keep possession and City get another chance to try and carve out an opening.

36' This game has been far from a thriller and has degenerated into a series of fouls in the last 15 minutes or so. This time it is Mina who clatters through the back of Jesus to offer City a free-kick out wide.

35' Digne arrows in another corner but it has the same outcome, with the visitors jumping the highest to head away. Sterling then dispossesses Coleman high up the pitch but the wing-back gets his own back as he regains possession on the right-hand touchline.

34' Laporte gets Steffen out of trouble, poking away for a corner after the goalkeeper carelessly came rushing off his line and missed the loose ball. Calvert-Lewin cuts a frustrated figure as he was inches away from having an open goal there.

33' Richarlison ghosts inside of Dias and Laporte, taking it on his left foot and drilling a strike from 25 yards out. The Brazilian's speculative effort is never going to beat Steffen from there and the American watches it trickle wide of the target.

32' Sterling is appealing to the referee for a penalty after clashing with Sigurdsson in the area. Oliver, however, is having none of it as he awards Everton the goal-kick and insists play goes on.

30' The Citizens have won 10 of their last 12 FA Cup away games, drawing with Huddersfield Town (February 2017) and losing at Wigan Athletic (February 2018) in the others.

29' With De Bruyne on the bench at the moment, Sterling takes charge of the free-kick. The Englishman strides up to the ball, whipping it over the wall but also well over Virginia's goal. Guardiola watches on looking rather disappointed with the effort on the touchline.

28' As has been the case with all Everton's set-pieces, Digne delivers the corner. The left-back's cross, however, doesn't beat the first man and City clear easily. At the other end, Richarlison carelessly pushes over Fernandinho and the visitors get a free-kick in a good position 20 yards from goal.

27' Sigurdsson runs over the set-piece, allowing Digne to clip a cross towards the far post, where Fernandinho climbs above Mina to head away for a corner to Ancelotti's men.

26' Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Digne lead the counter-attacking charge through the middle for Everton. Dias is then perhaps lucky to escape a booking as he cynically brings down Calvert-Lewin 30 yards from goal to offer the hosts a free-kick opportunity.

25' Gomes travels down the left-hand channel, crossing towards the back post, where Calvert-Lewin looks to test Steffen. The English forward doesn't get the chance, however, as Dias and Laporte combine effectively to remove any potential danger.

24' Still struggling from the tackle with Allan, Gundogan requires medical attention before City can get back underway with the free-kick. After a brief spray of the ankle, the German midfielder leaves the pitch and returns within the same minute.

Allan

Yellow Card

23' Allan goes through the back of Gundogan and referee Oliver dishes out the first yellow card of the game. The Brazilian pairing of Richarlison and Allan complain but even their best protestations aren't going to change Oliver's mind.

21' Fernandinho has possession in midfield and Richarlison presses him with real intent. City's Brazilian midfielder somehow catches Richarlison's face with a loose arm, however, and the forward is going to need some medical attention as referee Oliver waves the physios onto the pitch. After a brief passage of play, Everton's number seven returns from the touchline.

19' OVER! Godfrey does well to climb above Walker at the back post, heading down for Richarlison inside the box. The Brazilian manages to hook an acrobatic strike over his head but it goes just over the bar. For a moment it appeared Steffen was concerned and the American will be grateful Richarlison's effort fell the right side of the crossbar for City.

18' CHANCE! Gundogan and Sterling exchange two or three passes, with the latter cutting inside and escaping the reach of wing-back Coleman. Space opens up outside the area and Sterling drills a right-footed shot towards the bottom left corner. Virginia, however, sees it all the way and catches the effort.

16' Foden goes down the outside as he dances past Digne, making it to the corner of the area before the left-back recovers and gives away a corner. Gundogan takes the set-piece and Everton clear with ease as no City player gets near the cross.

15' Guardiola's side are knocking the ball about at almost walking pace as they continue to look for an opening. Sterling, however, speeds things up as he cuts inside, crossing for Jesus but instead finding the hands of Virginia at the near post.

13' Foden drifts inside, smashing the perfect pass out to Zinchenko on the opposite flank. The away side then work it inwards but the move breaks down as Mina dispossesses Jesus on the edge of the box. Down the other end, Digne makes it to the byline, however, his cross gets blocked by Walker before it can find Calvert-Lewin.

11' The visitors have won each of their last six meetings with Everton – all coming in the Premier League – their best ever winning run against the Toffees.

10' Digne delivers the wide set-piece and Steffen comes out with real authority to punch away under pressure. In fact, referee Oliver decides there was too much pressure and gives City the free-kick inside their own area for a foul on the goalkeeper.

9' Dias needlessly fouls Richarlison in the left-hand channel and referee Oliver awards Everton a free-kick. Digne and Sigurdsson stand over it as Mina, Holgate and Godfrey make their way forward.

8' Steffen has to be quick off his line, rushing out to gather a loose ball after Walker heads backwards. Calvert-Lewin appears interested for a moment or so before realising the American goalkeeper is comfortably getting there first.

7' Sterling reaches the byline, cutting back for the incoming run of Zinchenko towards the penalty spot, however, Gomes is alert to the danger and clears long. Guardiola's men regain possession and continue to look for an opening around the edge of the hosts' area.

6' Coleman launches a long throw-in into the area and, despite the pressure of Mina at the near post, Zinchenko manages to hook a clearance away. The Toffees then try to cross in but it is far too close to Steffen and the American collects with ease.

4' Foden attempts to catch Virginia by surprise, shooting from range from the set-piece and Mina is forced to head it behind for the first corner of the game. The visitors work it short and Everton deal with the ball when it eventually gets delivered in.

3' Fernandinho hovers over possession in the middle of the park, inviting the foul of Allan and his Brazilian opposite number duly obliges. City have a free-kick 30 yards from goal.

2' Calvert-Lewin imposes himself early doors, combining with Richarlison in the right-hand corner but the chance fades away as the English forward gets penalised for handball.

1' Referee Michael Oliver blows his whistle to get this FA Cup quarter-final underway!

The players are wandering out at Goodison Park and shortly it will be time for kick-off.

This is the first FA Cup meeting between these two sides since the 1980-81 quarter-final, with the Citizens winning 3-1 in a replay en route to the final.

Pep Guardiola opts for six changes from midweek against Borussia Monchengladbach. After being left out for three games, Sterling finally starts again. Cup goalkeeper Steffen replaces Ederson, while there is also room for the introduction of Laporte, Zinchenko, Jesus and Fernandinho in the line-up.

Carlo Ancelotti surprisingly leaves out Keane as he switches to a back three. From their defeat against Burnley, the hosts make three other changes. Virginia replaces the injured Jordan Pickford in goal, Sigurdsson comes in for Iwobi and Coleman is brought in to operate as a right wing-back for Davies.

SUBS: Ederson, John Stones, Joao Cancelo, Sergio Aguero, Ferran Torres, Rodrigo, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Benjamin Mendy.

MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Zack Steffen; Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Kyle Walker; Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan; Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling.

SUBS: Alex Iwobi, Tom Davies, Harry Tyrer, Kyle John, Nathan Broadhead, Tyler Onyango, Niels Nkounkou, Zan-Luk Leban, Michael Keane.

EVERTON (3-4-1-2): Joao Virginia; Mason Holgate, Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina; Seamus Coleman, Andre Gomes, Allan, Lucas Digne; Gylfi Sigurdsson; Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.

The Citizens pursuit of the quadruple goes on as they travel to Goodison Park. To get to this stage, City most recently cruised past Swansea City. Everton had a rather different route to the quarter-finals, edging out Tottenham in a 5-4 thriller in the last round over a month ago.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final tie between Everton and Manchester City.

Everton v Manchester City Live Commentary, 20/03/2021

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