Manchester City shatter another record in FA Cup semi-final victory

Manchester City become the first team in 57 YEARS to reach an FA Cup final without conceding as they beat Sheffield United 3-0 thanks to Riyad Mahrez’s Wembley hattrick

• Manchester City have broken another record after beating Sheffield United
• Riyad Mahrez’s superb hattrick has inspired City to another FA Cup final
• City have become the first side in 57 years to reach the final without conceding 

Manchester City have one hand on the FA Cup trophy after they dominated Championship hopefuls Sheffield United at Wembley in Saturday’s 3-0 knockout victory.

Riyad Mahrez bagged a hattrick, finishing each strike in the same corner of the goal as the Manchester side keep their treble ambitions on-track. 

City boss Pep Guardiola celebrated his 29th FA Cup victory as manager and enjoyed one of the club’s more comfortable semi-final encounters in the capital and will find out who his team will face in the final when Manchester United play Brighton on Sunday.

The reigning Premier League champions have been used to breaking records under their Spanish chief-in-charge and can now boast another mind-blowing achievement.

Man City’s routine performance means they are now the first team to reach an FA Cup final without conceding a goal for the first time in 57 years. Everton were the first to do it in 1966. Sportsmail looks back on Guardiola & Co’s record-breaking path to the final.

Manchester City breezed past Sheffield United in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final to break another record

Erling Haaland’s (left) cup goals have helped inspire City to another amazing record this season

THIRD ROUND: Man City v Chelsea (4-0)

This was meant to be a test for Guardiola as Chelsea looked to kick-start their season and challenge for a first trophy under then-manager Graham Potter. It wasn’t.

Riyad Mahrez ignited his run of cup goals this season with a brace against the Blues and was helped to victory by strikes from Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden.

Chelsea managed just one shot on target throughout the encounter as the finalists centre-back partnership of Aymeric Laporte and Manuel Akanji enjoyed a quiet night at the office.

FOURTH ROUND: Man City v Arsenal (1-0)

More Premier League opposition followed in the next round and this time it was current English top-flight leaders Arsenal who were given the chance to test City’s resolve.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta decided to leave some of his best players on the bench at the Etihad and rued a missed chance to clinch his second FA Cup as Arsenal boss.

Centre-back Nathan Ake was City’s unlikely scorer as his second-half strike guarantee them a place in the next round.

Nathan Ake (right) scored the game’s only goal in City’s fourth round victory over Arsenal

Ake was the difference as City continued their march in this year’s FA Cup competition

FIFTH ROUND: Bristol City v Man City (0-3)

More goals without reply followed for City as they travelled to Bristol and the hope of keeping their magnificent run going.

Lower-tier opposition can sometimes create more problems as they go hell-for-leather with a nothing-to-lose approach against Premier League big-boys.

City knocked them down and out the competition as they had done to those before with goals from Kevin de Bruyne and a Phil Foden brace the difference.

QUARTER-FINAL: Man City v Burnley (6-0)

And so Vincent Kompany returned to the Etihad seeking to cause an upset against the team that has erected a statue of him outside their stadium.

Guardiola didn’t take it easy on the Man City legend as Kompany’s Burnley were hit for six by another Erling Haaland hattrick, an Alvarez brace and a rare goal for youngster Cole Palmer.

The record-breaking run continues as Guardiola secures another trip to Wembley.

Erling Haaland (pictured) showed no signs of rust as he thumped a hattrick against Burnley

Vincent Kompany (middle) was shown no love on his return to Man City as Burnley boss

SEMI-FINAL: Man City v Sheffield United (3-0)

Saturday was the final hurdle and City leaped over it with ease as they brushed Sheffield United aside like those who had previously fallen victim.

The Championship outfit managed just one shot on target as City eased through 90 minutes as if their place in the final was a mere technicality.

Everton’s defence was finally broken in the 1966 final by Sheffield United. Surely Brighton or Manchester United will end City’s defensive record in the final?

Riyad Mahrez bagged a hattrick on Saturday as City became the first team in 57 years to reach an FA Cup final without conceding

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