London: Late goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin de Bruyne broke Everton’s resistance as Manchester City kept their quest for the quadruple on course by reaching the FA Cup semi-finals for a third successive season.
A fiercely contested quarter-final looked like it was heading for extra time as Carlo Ancelotti’s side defended resolutely and went close in the first half when Yerry Mina’s header was cleared off the line.
Despite dominating possession at Goodison Park, City struggled in front of goal for most of the game, with Raheem Sterling’s poorly hit shot tipped round the post by Everton’s third-choice keeper Joao Virginia.
After Pep Guardiola brought on Riyad Mahrez and De Bruyne, they finally breached Everton’s well-marshalled defence when Gudogan headed in with six minutes remaining after Aymeric Laporte’s shot was tipped onto the bar.
De Bruyne then fired in with a crisp shot to ensure their progress in the 90th minute, meaning City have won 25 out of their past 26 games in all competitions.
For Everton, who still threatened despite having little of the ball, it was a sterling attempt to try and stop the City juggernaut.
Despite missing out on a first FA Cup semi-final since 2016, they will now focus on their league campaign in an attempt to reach Europe next season.
We competed well for 80 minutes against, in my opinion, the best team in the world, said Everton boss Ancelotti.
The fact we competed, the fact we defended really well and didn’t concede great opportunities to them for 80 minutes, I’m proud of my players.
Manchester City is not a normal team, they are the best.
City boss Pep Guardiola said: When you have won a lot of games in four months, you are able to adapt and adjust and that is what I am pleased about the most, it is the most difficult thing.
It is the mental strength to be ready for every single game. November to March is the toughest period in England and what we have done is more than remarkable, it is incredible.
It is one of the greatest achievements we have done together for a long time.