MANCHESTER: Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko grabbed two goals each and Sergio Aguero scored on his return from injury as Manchester City swept to a 5-0 win over Blackburn in an FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday.
In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team — Watford.
City’s largely second-string lineup took a while to get going, with Negredo opening the scoring in first-half injury time, but the Premier League side was irrepressible after the break.
Aguero scored within a minute of coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute following a month out with a calf injury, capping a perfect night for City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
“You saw the difference between a (League) Championship and a Premier League team,” Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer said. “That was clinical ... It’s phenomenal.” The 1-1 draw at Ewood Park on Jan. 4 was the only time City had failed to win in its last 10 matches and this replay will have been an irritation for Pellegrini, with his team’s fixture schedule clogged up due to its continued involvement in four competitions this season.
For that reason, he fielded a shadow side except for Fernandinho in central midfield and the twin strike force of Dzeko and Negredo, who have been in great form during the eight-game absence of Aguero.
Negredo, in particular, has been proved unstoppable this season and the Spain striker took his tally in five months in English football to 20 goals with a header that lit up an otherwise forgettable first half.
Jesus Navas set clear Fernandinho down the right and the Brazilian’s cross to the back post was headed forcefully into the net by Negredo.
The second half was a different story as City cut loose.
Negredo scampered onto a curling, crossfield pass by substitute Aleksandar Kolarov to clip a finish high into the net in the 47th minute and Dzeko expertly turned in Navas’ cut-back to make it 3-0 in the 67th.
Aguero, who has been out since Dec. 14, came on to a great reception and was soon celebrating a goal as he swiveled to shoot low into the net from Dzeko’s pass.
Dzeko had the final say from another Navas cross in the 79th.
City scored four or more goals in a game for the 11th time this season. It has 64 goals in 16 home matches.
Man City ousts Blackburn in FA Cup replay
Man City ousts Blackburn in FA Cup replay
Sharjah Warriorz beat Gulf Giants for second straight ILT20 win
- Tom Abell leads batting charge with 68 off 41 balls, striking five fours and three sixes
- Matheesha Pathirana claims 3 wickets, including key scalps of Moeen Ali and Matthew Forde
SHARJAH: Sharjah Warriorz continued their strong start to the International League T20 season with an 11-run victory over Gulf Giants at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday, making it two wins from two matches.
A composed batting effort led by Tom Abell, followed by disciplined bowling from Matheesha Pathirana and Wasim Akram, proved decisive as the Warriorz successfully defended a total of 174.
Abell anchored the innings with a well-judged 68 off 41 balls, striking five fours and three sixes.
After an early loss of Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abell seized control in the powerplay, lifting the tempo with a 19-run over off Fred Klaassen. He later found valuable support from James Rew, who contributed 39, as the pair added 71 runs to stabilize the innings.
Dwaine Pretorius provided late impetus with a brisk 28 off 13 deliveries, while Ethan D’Souza chipped in with an unbeaten cameo as the Warriorz closed on 174 for 6.
In response, the Gulf Giants were rocked early as Akram and Taskin Ahmed removed Pathum Nissanka and James Vince cheaply.
Matheesha Pathirana further tightened the screws, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a wicket-maiden before the Giants slumped to 44 for 4 inside the powerplay.
Azmatullah Omarzai and Moeen Ali attempted to rebuild with a 79-run partnership, with Omarzai striking 41 off 26 and Ali anchoring the chase with 45. However, Akram broke the stand and regular wickets in the closing overs halted the Giants’ momentum.
Pathirana claimed three wickets, including the key scalps of Ali and Matthew Forde, while Pretorius struck twice late on as the Giants were restricted to 163 for 9.
Player of the match Pathirana said the performance was a step forward after a challenging period. “I’m gradually finding my rhythm, and this gives me a lot of confidence,” he said.
Stand-in captain Sikander Raza praised his side’s composure, adding: “Winning those small, decisive moments makes all the difference. There’s still room to improve, but full credit to our seamers for closing it out.”
