- Manchester City thumped Luton Town 6-2 on Tuesday night to progress to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup
- Haaland and De Bruyne were in red-hot form as four of the Norwegian’s five goals at Luton were assisted by the gifted playmaker
On Tuesday, February 27, Manchester City thumped Luton Town 6-2 in the FA Cup during the Luton Town vs Man City tie.
Goalscoring ‘machine’ Erling Haaland scored five as the Cytizens progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a statement win. Kevin De Bruyne registered four assists in a night that Haaland became the first footballer in history to score five goals in a game more than once. The Norwegian had pulled the feat in the Champions League against RB Leipzig last season. Former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic scored City’s sixth at Kenilworth Road.
Luton Town vs Man City. Photo/ Athletistic.
Speaking after the match, Pep Guardiola was full of praise for both Haaland and De Bruyne, who were at some point this season out of action due to injuries.
“The players read the game perfectly. The connection of Kevin with Erling was great but everyone contributed. Happy to be in the quarter-finals, one game away from Wembley. Erling needs a guy with the vision, the quality, the generosity. Kevin is the less selfish player in front of goal. Kevin needs the movement from Erling. We know how aggressive they are.” Sky Sports Pep Guardiola.
Luton Town Vs Man City
Luton Town manager Rob Edwards made three changes to the team that lost at Liverpool last week, including replacing goalkeeper Tim Krul with Thomas Kaminski. On the other hand, Guardiola made four changes from his squad that played over the weekend. Both Haaland, De Bruyne and Jack Grealish started the match, although Grealish was substituted in the first half with an apparent injury.
In their first FA Cup meeting with Luton since 1969, a dominant City side started the game on a high note and were in front after just three minutes of play. Matheus Nunes started the move which would result in De Bruyne putting the ball on a plate for Haaland to finish.
The Cytizens extended their lead to 2-0 in the 18th minute, and it was Haaland who was again fed by the Belgian playmaker. Towards the end of the first half, the Norwegian striker dinked over the on-rushing Krul to complete his hat-trick and put his side on a commanding lead.
When it looked as though it was over for the hosts, they pulled one back before the break through Jordan Clark who found the top left-hand corner from distance. Clark picked from where he had left after the break, volleying home superbly to bring his team back to this match.
Unfortunately for Luton, their attempt to complete the comeback awoken the ‘beast’ in Haaland and City as they began the goalscoring prowess they showed in the first half again. For a fourth time in this match, Haaland and De Bruyne combined to increase City’s lead to 4-2. Just to ensure Luton wouldn’t come back closer to their lead again, Haaland scored City’s fifth goal of the night, this time assisted by Bernardo Silva. It was also his fifth.
Erling Haaland scored five goals against Luton Town last night. Photo/ News Unrolled.
And as if Haaland’s five goals were not enough, Mateo Kovacic sealed the win for Pep Guardiola’s side in the 72nd minute with a well taken strike from distance.
Manchester City are on course to a second consecutive FA Cup triumph this season following the 6-2 triumph on Wednesday. The Cytizens are actually aiming to repeat last season’s treble success, with Haaland stating after the Luton Town vs Man City game: “It’s coming, we’re coming.”
Kevin De Bruyne has now assisted 16 of Haaland’s 79 goals for City, and the two being at their best now is good news to their fans as they prepare for the Premier League derby against Manchester United at the Etihad on Sunday.
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