Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has described his side’s 3–1 victory over Newcastle United in the 5th Round of the FA Cup on Saturday night as the best game against the Magpies in ten years, news.ng reports.
City secured a spot in the FA Cup quarter-final after beating Newcastle 3–1, despite a disappointing outcome against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, where they failed to secure the maximum three points in the Premier League.
“It’s the best game we have played against Newcastle in my period here in ten years,” Guardiola stated after the match.
The former Bayern Munich coach, while assessing his side’s performance, noticed a level of progression in the attacking and defensive displays among his players.
“Really pleased because the game against Nottingham Forest, we were disappointed. So, I’m really pleased with how we played, how we behaved, offensively, defensively,” Guardiola noted.
Having achieved a fourth victory over Newcastle this year alone, Guardiola stressed how important Saturday’s victory was, making it the eighth time in a row City will qualify for the FA Cup quarter-final.
“We will be in the draw on Monday. It’s many years since we are there, and that is so good. Eight times in a row we are in the quarter-finals, this organisation is top,” according to him.
On the goals scored by their number nine striker, Omar Marmoush, in the 47th and 65th minutes, Guardiola showered praise on the Egyptian international, describing him as a ”top striker” and adding that the player needs to improve in small spaces.
He said, “I had the feeling that he scored a lot of times against them.
“He’s a top striker and the finishing, especially our second goal and our third, is his biggest quality. He has to improve in small spaces and his first control, but he deserved it.”
In the other matches played on Saturday, Chelsea beat stubborn Wrexham United 4–2 in extra time after they were forced to a 2–2 draw in normal time, while Arsenal beat Mansfield Town 2–1.
The last FA Cup 5th Round matches will be concluded today and tomorrow, Monday, March 9, as Fulham FC hosts Southampton, Leeds United will welcome Norwich City, while West Ham United play Brentford.
