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Gabriel Jesus goals keep Manchester City hot on the heels of Premier League leaders Liverpool

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MAN CITY 3, WOLVES 0

Gabriel Jesus continued his red-hot scoring streak as Manchester City defeated 10-man Wolves at the Etihad.

The Brazilian scored twice to make it seven in three games and a goal every 34 minutes as City reduced the deficit on leaders Liverpool from seven to four points.

And City maintained their impressive record having never lost in the 20 games in which Jesus has scored.

But the game was effectively ended as a contest with less than 20 minutes played following Willy Boly’s sending off.

Wolves, in fairness, restricted City to a penalty and Conor Coady own goal as City made it 99 goals for the season in all competitions.

City also keep a first clean sheet in nine Premier League games with goalkeeper Ederson almost unemployed as Wolves, who suffered their heaviest loss of the season, mustered only two goal attempts, and none of target compared to 22 from City who had eight on target.

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Manager Pep Guardiola was not happy with his side’s attacking play, saying: “We arrived in the final third easy but then forgot to attack the goal.

“When we arrive in the final third, we need more movement, something Kevin (De Bruyne) gave us when he came on.”

Guardiola was asked about the title race with Liverpool, explaining: “We have incredible numbers. It is difficult to maintain consistency after last season, but we have done so, but they have done better.

“All we can do is win our games and results will dictate who wins the league.”

Pep Guardiola praises Wolves midfielders Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo had no qualms about the sending off saying it was a red-card offence.

City had considerable firepower on the bench with Sergio Aguero, De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez on the bench.

Wolves had Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves and Leander Dendoncker back from the home defeat against Crystal Palace.

“We knew it was tough. It got harder.” Nuno on the sending off of Willy Boly at Man City

City made the perfect start taking a 10th minute lead through Jesus.

Leroy Sane broke on the left and his low cross eluded Wolves’ keeper Rui Patricio for Jesus, sliding in, finding the net from four yards.

It was Jesus’ 11th goal in his last eight appearances at the Etihad in all competitions and his 13th of the season

And it would have been 2-0 not long after when David Silva’s 25-yard drive was well tipped over the bar by Patricio.

Wolves faced a mountainous task when centre-back Willy Boly was sent off for a dangerous lunging challenge on Bernardo Silva.

City had an injury scare when Jesus collided with the upright when flying in to meet Kyle Walker’s cross. After a lengthy stoppage for treatment, the Brazilian was able to carry on.

The 10 men almost equalised in the 36th minute after a speedy counter attack that ended with Jonny Otto crossing from the left but Diogo Jota, sliding in, just failed to connect.

City doubled their lead in the 39th minute after Raheem Sterling was tripped by Ryan Bennett. It was City’s first Premier League penalty of the campaign.

Jesus obliged from the spot with his seventh goal in his last three games, all at home.

Sane had a couple of decent chances early in the second half – he dragged the first well wide and had strayed offside on the other occasion.

City made their first change just after the hour when David Silva, playing a club record 267th Premier League game for the club after beating Joe Hart’s total, was replaced by De Bruyne.

They made a second switch with 16 minutes left when Sane made way for Ilkay Gundogan and the third soon followed when Aguero replaced Jesus.

De Bruyne almost added a third goal when his fierce shot was beaten away for a corner by Patricio.

But from the resulting short corner and cross from De Bruyne, City found the net through a Coady own goal. Substitute Romain Saiss tried to head clear but the ball deflected off Coady and to the left of the motionless Patricio.

Manchester City 3, Wolves 0 – Player Ratings

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FLASH POINTS – Manchester City 3, Wolves 0

The pace of Leroy Sane

The German burned off most of his flank after a great pass forward by Aymeric Laporte and then almost found his way to the touchline following a swift City counter attack after Ruben Neves’ free kick had been cleared. Unlucky to be taken off but Huddersfield Town may now be fearing the rested German on Sunday.

Manchester City’s left back conundrum against pace

With Oleksandr Zinchenko not risked against the pacy Wolves attack, Pep Guardiola opted for the experience of Danilo at left back rather than use Fabian Delph who had been sent off against Leicester City on Boxing Day but was instead named on the bench.

Kyle Walker recalled

Back in the fold after recent poor form but his mistake to give away possession forced Fernandinho to collect a booking after it seemed Wolves would break away early on. His cross midway through the first half was so enticing that Gabriel Jesus risked injury to get on the end of it – appearing to hit his head on the woodwork as he dived in to try and convert it.

Wily Boly red card after 19 minutes

Not the only defender making mistakes on the night, Willy Boly scythed into Bernardo Silva with a reckless studs up challenge after the little Portuguese midfielder had skipped over Jonny Otto’s attempt to tackle him. His dismissal after 19 minutes – a straight red card by Craig Pawson – changed the complexion of the game for City who were already 1-0 up.

Gabriel Jesus back in form

He was trusted in front of Sergio Aguero against Wolves and repaid his boss Pep Guardiola with two goals and was definitely aiming for more.

The stuttering run-up for his confidently struck penalty said it all for Gabriel Jesus whose four goals against Burton Albion last week seems to have restored his faith in front of goal. The brave Brazilian was up for goals, grabbing City’s opener and also risking injury flying in for a Kyle Walker cross and colliding with the post.

The Brazilian kept doing his usual hardworking all-action performance all over the pitch, with attempts to play in his team mates for goals and pressing into midfield.

PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 3, Wolves 0

Ederson: 6. Very little to do so he decided to have a go in midfield close to the end much to the amusement of the crowd!

Kyle Walker: 6. Early mistake to lose the ball which led to Fernandinho’s booking. Still looks in poor form but improved after the break, shooting straight at Rui Patricio and attempting more crosses.

John Stones: 6. Outpaced by Ruben Neves early on.

Aymeric Laporte: 7. Great distribution from the back, released Leroy Sane for City’s first goal.

Danilo: 6. Deployed at left back and defended solidly but still tried to go forward to mixed results. He left his shooting boots at home but still found a great cross for Raheem Sterling who headed straight at Rui Patricio.

Fernandinho: 8. Had to accept a booking after being left high and dry by Kyle Walker, but was kept on and controlled proceedings from his midfield berth, even trying out shots himself in the second half. His interceptions were crucial in the game, even capable of creating chances on the break.

Bernardo Silva: 6. Went down in a heap after being scythed down by Willy Boly. Switched to the right flank after Ilkay Gundogan came on.

David Silva: 7. Celebrating a record 237 Premier League appearances for Manchester City. Tried his luck with 20 yard rising strike which was tipped over by Rui Patricio.

Raheem Sterling: 7. Tormented the Wolves defence more effectively after Boly went off. Earned a penalty after going past Ryan Bennett who tripped him. Header straight at Rui Patricio from Danilo’s cross.

Leroy Sane: 8. Great pace down the left, crossed for the opening goal after 10 minutes. Enormous pace used to great effect down City’s left flank during counter attacks and could have been amongst the goals but for some miskicks and offside decisions. Even outpaced Adama Traore when coming back to defend.

Gabriel Jesus: 8. Back to his best with a great run to the back post to convert Leroy Sane’s cross. So hungry for a second goal that he risked everything to get on the end of a Kyle Walker cross but collided with Rui Patricio’s post as he flew in, also had a shot deflected wide. Confidently stood up and stuttered his run up to double his score with a penalty after Raheem Sterling had been tripped.

Kevin De Bruyne (on for David Silva 62): 7. Threading balls through the eye of the needle (and testing Rui Patricio) immediately. Hit the post with a snap shot then his curling cross into the area took deflections off Romain Saiss and Conor Coady to end the Wolves resistance.

Ilkay Gundogan (on for Leroy Sane 74): 6. Tactical reshuffle. Backheel saved in injury time as City tried to get their 100th goal of the season in all competitions.

Sergio Aguero (on for Gabriel Jesus 76): 6. Continued Gabriel Jesus’ work rate.

GOALS – Manchester City 3, Wolves 0

Man City 1, Wolves 0: 10. Gabriel Jesus had a tap in at the back post from 4 yards out after Leroy Sane cut the ball across from the left.

Man City 2, Wolves 0: 39. Raheem Sterling brought down in the area for a penalty after Ryan Bennett tripped him. A stuttered run up and confident shot later and Gabriel Jesus had doubled the lead.

Man City 3, Wolves 0: 78. Kevin De Bruyne’s curling cross in for 20 yards was headed by Romain Saiss into Conor Coady and deflected into the Wolves net

MATCH STATS – Manchester City 3, Wolves 0

Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Danilo, Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva, David Silva (De Bruyne 62), Sterling, Sane (Gundogan 74), Gabriel Jesus (Aguero 76)

Man City Subs not used: Muric, Delph, Mahrez, Otamendi

Booked: Fernandinho 14

Goals: Jesus 10, 39 pen; Coady og 78

Wolves: Patricio, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doerty, Dendoncker, Neves, Otto, Moutinho (Gibbs-White 72), Jimenez (Traore 46), Jota (Saiss 59)

Wolves Subs not used: Ruddy, Cavaleiro, Costa, Vinagre

Red Card: Boly 19 (for a dreadful scything challenge on Bernardo Silva)

Manchester City on cloud nine after Carabao Cup semi-final win against Burton Albion

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MAN CITY 9, BURTON ALBION 0

Manchester City’s biggest win for more than 31 years assured them of a place in the final of the Carabao Cup.

Though the second leg of the semi-final is still to come at Burton Albion, there will be no way back for the battered Brewers on a record-breaking night for City.

It was the biggest-ever margin of victory in the semi-finals of any English cup competition and the first time since Leeds United in 1967 that a team in any of the top four divisions had scored seven goals in back-to-back games.

Gabriel Jesus led the way with four goals, including a 29-minute hat-trick and the first time he had ever scored four goals in a game. There was one apiece for Kevin De Bruyne, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez.

It gave City their largest victory since beating Huddersfield Town 10-1 in November 1987 on a day when three players scored hat-tricks.

This was Burton’s first-ever meeting with City, one they will quickly want to erase from the memory after the League One side was outclassed by ruthless opponents.

Most side scoring four, five or more goals would have eased up, but not City who were relentless.

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Burton manager Nigel Clough said: “My players were wide-eyed at half time. They had seen the City players on television, but never actually been out there to see how good they were.

They don’t just beat you, they annihilate you.” – Nigel Clough on Man City

“I don’t think my players could have done much more when you look at the quality out there in terms of the gulf between the two teams that was too much to comprehend.

“People talk about the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United bridging the gap with City, but you are talking here about a team midway down League One

“I hate losing 9-0, but it was nothing more than I expected. They don’t just beat teams, but annihilate them.

“When you look at their front five, if they play in the semi-final of the Champions League against Real Madrid, they will give them problems.”

Clough added the game was a celebration of the achievement of reaching the semi-final, something most clubs of their size will never do.

City manager Pep Guardiola echoed the same sentiments adding it was a great achievement to claim one Premier League and three Championship scalps on their epic cup run.

He was delighted to have reached the final, even though this is the less prestigious of the four pieces of silverware they are chasing.

“Every single game is important” – Pep Guardiola after Manchester City beat Burton Albion 9-0

“Manchester City does not have a museum that is full of trophies. We have to take our chances and are delighted to be back at Wembley,” he said.

Guardiola explained the difference between the Premier League and League One is the quality of the players, the rhythm and high intensity and over 90 minutes their physicality was higher.

He also explained his side didn’t ease up in the second half out of respect for the competition and also their opponents, but added he never expected to score so many goals.

Guardiola was especially pleased for Jesus who extended his season’s goals total from eight to 12 and including nine goals in eight cup games this season.

“Strikers need goals and he had many chances in the last game and it was good for him, good for the team and good for everybody,” he said.

Guardiola described it an “honour” to play against Nigel Clough saying he had an “incredible father who was a charismatic person” before detailing Brian’s achievements which demonstrated a great understanding of the history of English football.

Only five of the City side that put seven goals past Rotherham remained –  Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, Nicolas Otamendi, Jesus and Zinchenko.

It was still a City team packed with international stars as Bruyne, Leroy Sane, David Silva and record-buy Mahrez all won recalls.

And the bench included Brazilian internationals Ederson and Danilo, John Stones, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva.

Many of the Brewers’ fans were delayed by an accident on the M6, but the decision was made not to put back kick off.

And the late comers missed City taking the lead after five minutes through De Bruyne.

David Silva delivered a delicious cross from left of centre and De Bruyne ghosted from deep to head home from nine yards.

Burton ought to have equalised in the 12th minute when Marcus Myers-Harness missed a relative sitter.

A low cross from the left somehow found its way to Myers-Harness completely free on the far side of the box, but he blazed over.

Mahrez found the net with a sumptuous finish from a Gundogan cross, but the goal was ruled out as he had strayed offside.

City doubled their advantage on the half hour when Jesus found the net.

Sane was heavily involved in the build up and his shot was blocked by keeper Bradley Collins but the ball bounced up invitingly  for Jesus to head home from three yards.

The floodgates began to open as City scored a third goal four minutes later.

Gundogan supplied the cross, David Silva cushioned a pass back to Jesus who found the net from seven yards in off the upright. VAR needed to check the goal as Jesus was offside early in the build-up.

City added a fourth goal in the 37th minute, a spectacular effort from Zinchenko from 20 yards that looped over Collins after Sane provided the assist. What a great way to score his first goal for the club.

And but for a fine reflex save from Collins it would have been five before the break as he superbly denied Mahrez.

Referee Mike Dean referred a City penalty appeal to VAR following a challenge by Ben Turner on Jesus, but it was not given.

Clough sent his Burton side out well before City reappeared and the Brewers began the second period brightly.

Scott Fraser wasn’t far off a goal when his shot dipped narrowly over the crossbar.

It was only a temporary reprieve as City soon added a fifth goal as Mahrez teed up Jesus to head home the goal that completed a second hat-trick at the Etihad.

City’s first change in the 58th minute saw De Bruyne replaced by teenager Phil Foden who found the net within five minutes of his entrance.

Gundogan released Jesus whose shot was well blocked by keeper Collins but the ball ran free to Foden to slot home from six yards, his second home goal for City with both coming in the space of four days.

Jesus scored his fourth and City’s seventh midway through the second period with a close-range shot after Sane supplied the cross from the left.

Bernardo Silva replaced Sane moments later, but it failed to disrupt City’s flow.

They soon bettered the seven goals against Rotherham with an eighth as right-back Walker got into the scoring act.

Burton’s defence was ripped open again as Mahrez cross from the left was fired home by Walker from 10 yards, and there was still 20 minutes left to play.

City’s third and final change saw Walker make way for Danilo.

And City came within inches of a ninth goal when David Silva’s shot struck the upright with Collins beaten.

The ninth goal arrived with six minutes left when Bernardo Silva crossed from the left and Mahrez scored a scruffy goal that crept past Collins.

The crowd’s response was to chant for a 10th goal which almost came with three minutes left when Otamendi’s header was saved on the line by the diving Collins as they just came up short on reaching double figures.

Manchester City 9, Burton Albion 0 – Carabao Cup Semi Final – Player Ratings

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Manchester City 9, Burton Albion 0 (Carabao Cup Semi Final – First Leg)

Youth and experience

Eric Garcia started the game on his 19th birthday. Captain David Silva celebrated his 33rd birthday yesterday. Silva looked in mercurial form against League One opponents while Garcia cruised through the game.

A strong rotation for Manchester City

Pep Guardiola rotated his side again and came up with a side containing 6 changes from the side that beat Rotherham but still fielded a side with 10 full internationals plus Eric Garcia.

“They don’t just beat you, they annihilate you” said Nigel Clough after the game, and Guardiola allowed himself to admit that his team were through to the Carabao Cup Final with the largest ever margin of victory in an English cup semi final game.

Burton fans miss out after police incident on the M6

A police incident on the M6 led to huge delays for dozens of coach loads of Burton Albion fans travelling up on the day.

The ‘lucky’ ones who made it to the game of a lifetime for their club saw a City side that didn’t give up once the game was won and didn’t waste time, showboat, or spoil the final half hour with a training exhibition.

Unfortunately, some fans never made it to the game but will get a chance to watch their team at home – albeit against a probably weaker City side as Pep Guardiola admitted during his post-match press conference.

Ilkay Gundogan

He provided 4 assists on Sunday, and also 3 second assists (the assist before the assist) in the first half alone for City. Ran the game. An excellent understudy for Fernandinho albeit in a low pressure game.

Gabriel Jesus 

A morale boosting night for Gabriel Jesus who scored four goals in a game for the first time in his career. The Brazilian front-man has looked low on confidence, only scoring once in the 7-0 win over Rotherham, but tonight will have given him a big boost.

VAR

Checking the validity of Gabriel Jesus’ second goal and a possible penalty call after the Brazilian striker may to have been fouled late in the first half.

The big screen notifications helped with the delays and there was sufficient added time to compensate.

“We want ten!” – Man City chase record win

Calls from the City crowd for ten goals went from fun to serious very quickly in the second half after they topped seven goals without reply against Championship Rotherham to reach nine goals without reply against League One Burton.

City beat Huddersfield Town 10-1 in November 1987 and that record was in danger until the end of the game as Guardiola’s team ruthlessly put the Brewers to the sword.

With Burton demoralised and unwilling to overcommit to attack later on it was down to City to get that record and many of the crowd were willing to stay to see if they could do it.

PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 9, Burton Albion 0 (Carabao Cup Semi Final – First Leg)

Aro Muric: 7. As bored as Ederson usually is. Had just one shot to save.

Kyle Walker: 7. Could have assisted a second goal for City with a cut back from the right. Did’t have much defending to do.

Eric Garcia: 7. Not afraid of the physical side of the game and can carry the ball out of defence confidently but wasn’t challenged as Burton crumbled in the second half.

Nicolas Otamendi: 7. Headers at both ends of the park, dominant in his own area. Could have scored City’s tenth of the night with a late header.

Oleksandr Zinchenko: 8. Spent a lot of time in midfield, was missing when Marcus Myers-Harness got a free shot in the first half and blazed over. Saw Collins off his line and chipped him from 24 yards out and put some good crosses in during the second half as City pummelled Burton.

Ilkay Gundogan: 9. Sprayed free kicks and passes from deep with aplomb, found Leroy Sane for his first half shot from which Gabriel headed home City’s second goal. Vital contributions to the build-up.

Kevin De Bruyne: 8. Great header after just 5 minutes – perfect start for City – and did his defensive job too.

David Silva: 8. Crosses in from the left caused problems for the Burton defence. One such cross allowed Kevin De Bruyne to head City into the lead after just 5 minutes. Set Mahrez free to cross Gabriel Jesus’ hat trick and should have scored himself in the second half but blazed over. Hit the post late on after a spate of goals by City.

Riyad Mahrez: 8. Picking holes in the deep Burton defence. He strayed offside after Gundogan found him – his delicate volleyed goal after 19 minutes was ruled out. He saw less of the ball because most of City’s attacks came down their left flank but still could have had City’s 5th after but Collins tipped his effort over and Buxton blocked a shot which could have been City’s 9th goal before the Algerian finally netted a deserved strike.

Gabriel Jesus: 10. Amazing work rate again for the Brazilian who was everywhere. Saw a shot bobble wide of the far post on a City break but was freed after a four goal burst either side of half time and his blocked shot fell kindly for Foden to snap up a goal for himself.

Leroy Sane: 8. Terrorising the Burton defence, hit the side netting early on. Crosses from the left caused mayhem.

Phil Foden (for Kevin De Bruyne, 58): 7. Tap in after City overloaded Burton and Jesus’ shot was blocked. Had a shot blocked late on.

Bernardo Silva (on for Leroy Sane, 67): 7. Giving the German winger a rest, he laid on City’s 9th goal for Riyad Mahrez.

Danilo (on for Kyle Walker, 74): 6. Not much defending to do so he put one or two crosses in.

GOALS – Manchester City 9, Burton Albion 0 (Carabao Cup Semi Final – First Leg)

Man City 1, Burton Albion 0: 5. Kevin De Bruyne heads home from 9 yards out after a sumptuous cross from deep on the left by David Silva.

Man City 2, Burton Albion 0: 30. Gabriel Jesus reacted first with a header from 3 yards out after Leroy Sane’s initial shot looped up off Bradley Collins in the Burton goal after a great through ball by Ilkay Gundogan.

Man City 3, Burton Albion 0: 34. Gabriel Jesus scored his second after Ilkay Gundogan’s forward pass was laid off by David Silva into the path of the City striker who finished from 7 yards out. The crowd had to wait for confirmation of the goal after VAR checked for offside.

Man City 4, Burton Albion 0: 37. Oleksandr Zinchenko had a go from 24 yards after Leroy Sane laid the ball off to him and saw his shot float over Collins, who was off his line, and into the net.

Man City 5, Burton Albion 0: 57. Gabriel Jesus got his hat trick with another header after he rose above John Brayford to head home from Riyad Mahrez’ right wing cross. 

Man City 6, Burton Albion 0: 62. Phil Foden snapped up the loose ball from 6 yards after Jesus’ shot was blocked following Ilkay Gundogan’s through ball.

Man City 7, Burton Albion 0: 65. Leroy Sane nutmegged John Brayford with his cross which set up Gabriel Jesus for a nonchalently flicked 7th for City

Man City 8, Burton Albion 0: 70. Kyle Walker sidefooted Riyad Mahrez’ shot in from 10 yards. 

Man City 9, Burton Albion 0: 83. Riyad Mahrez scored the ninth at the second attempt following a left wing by Bernardo Silva. 

MATCH STATS – Manchester City 9, Burton Albion 0 (Carabao Cup Semi Final – First Leg)

Man City: Muric, Walker (Danilo 74), Garcia, Otamendi, Zinchenko, Gundogan, De Bruyne (Foden), David Silva, Mahrez, Jesus, Sane (Bernardo Silva 66)

Man City Subs not used: Ederson, Stones, Sterling, Delph

Goals: De Bruyne 5; Jesus 30, 34, 57, 65; Zinchenko 37; Foden 62; Walker 70; Mahrez 83

Burton Albion: Collins, Brayford, Turner, Buxton, Hutchinson, Wallace, Akins, Allen (Templeton 69), Fraser (Sbarra 79), Harness, Boyce (Fox 69)

Burton Albion Subs not used: Bywater, McFadzean, McCrory, Miller

Ruthless Manchester City in seventh heaven after FA Cup win against Rotherham United

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MAN CITY 7, ROTHERHAM UNITED 0

You could not fault Manchester City’s professionalism as they ruthlessly disposed of Championship club Rotherham United at the Etihad in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.

They were in heaven as they scored seven goals without reply after a terrific display against the Millers who are battling for survival if football’s second tier.

And the goals were even evenly distributed between Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez, Nicolas Otamendi, Leroy Sane and a Semi Ajayi own goal.

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There was praise from City manager Pep Guardiola who said: “We took it seriously. We had to do our job which we did amazingly.

“We had eight or nine new players and fresh legs. They saw what their mates did on Thursday (league win against Liverpool) and everyone did well from Kyle (Walker) to Kevin De Bruyne.”

Rotherham manager Paul Warne admitted he was pleased to hear the final whistle.

He said: “Premier League teams come here and get a good licking and my players should not be embarrassed.

“It was a joy to bring my players here and if they can learn from how good Manchester City were and improve one or two per cent going forward it won’t be a wasted experience.”

Warne added: “If we could have got to half time at 1-0, I would have been pleased, but the two goals late in the half killed the game.

“It was damage limitation and the gulf in class was there for everyone to see.”

Warne added he told his right-back Zak Vyner to smile when City took off Sterling and replaced him with Sane.

City made eight changes from the side that started against Liverpool, Ederson, John Stones and Sterling the three survivors.

It was still a side packed with experience – 10 senior internationals plus England under-21’s Phil Foden – while Leroy Sane, Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva were among the substitutes.

The only senior players not involved were Sergio Aguero, David Silva and the injured Vincent Kompany.

It looked as though it was going to be a long afternoon for Rotherham after Gabriel Jesus headed against the crossbar little more than 60 seconds into the game.

And not long after Sterling shot wide under pressure from Ajayi and Mahrez had an effort deflected for a corner.

Rotherham held out until the 12th minute when Sterling broke the deadlock. He played a return pass with De Bruyne before firing home from eight yards, his 11th goal of the season.

There was a lengthy stoppage after an assistant referee came off injured as he was replaced by fourth official Paul Marsden. The delay was caused by the official having to be wired up so he could communicate with referee David Coote.

Rotherham had their first clear-cut chance when keeper Ederson was dispossessed by Anthony Forde trying to dribble the ball out of defence, but Stones saved the day with a timely clearance.

City added a second goal in the 43rd minute when Foden scored his first-ever goal at the Eithad in his first-ever FA Cup tie.

Ilkay Gundogan lofted the ball over the defence and Foden scored a scruffy goal as the ball came off his boot and deflected off his knee as it trickled past keeper Marek Rodak.

City added a third goal in stoppage time when Walker’s cross was put through his own goal by Ajayi who, sliding in with Sterling behind him, deflected the ball into the roof of the net.

Rodak was called into action soon after the restart to turn away a cross-cum shot from De Bruyne.

City added a fourth goal in the 53rd minute through Jesus.

Sterling roasted right-back Zak Vyner and squared the ball for Jesus to score with a simple tap in.

City made their first change in the 57th minute. If the Millers were glad to see the back of Sterling, his replacement was German international Sane.

Rodak turned over a shot from Gundogan before Guardiola made a second change when De Bruyne was replaced by debutant Philippe Sandler.

The 21-year-old central defender, signed from Dutch club PEC Zwolle for £2.3million in the summer, was used as a holding midfielder.

Rotherham almost scored a second own goal when Vyner deflected a Sane corner towards his own net, but the ball was clawed away by Rodak.

City found the net for a fifth time in the 73rd minute when Mahrez played a return pass with Gundogan before firing home a low shot from 12 yards.

Guardiola’s third and final substitution saw Stones replaced by Danilo.

Rodak beat out a drive from Kyle Walker but could do nothing to keep out City’s sixth goal from Otamendi with 12 minutes left.

Gundogan’s corner was met by the Argentine centre half who found the net with a bullet header from seven yards into the roof of the net.

City were in seventh heaven in the 85th minute when Sane found the net with the aid of a marked deflection past Rodak with Gundogan providing a fourth assist of the match.

Rotherham had their first on target attempt in the 88th minute when Michael Smith’s shot was turned over by Ederson.

It was as though referee Mr Coote wanted to spare Rotherham further suffering when he blew the final whistle after exactly 90 minutes.

Bearing in mind there were four goals and six substitutions in the second period, you would have imagined there would have been a number of additional minutes to play.