Sergio Aguero’s second-half goal proved enough for holders Manchester City to beat second-tier Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 on Wed-nesday and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, but Pep Guardiola’s side made hard work of it, reports Reuters.
Leicester City ended a poor run of form to set up a home last-eight tie against Chelsea after beating Birmingham City 1-0, Ricardo Pereira’s header sealing a tight Midlands derby.
Manchester City’s reward was an away quarter-final at Newcastle United, while Norwich will have a home tie against Derby County or Manchester United who play on Thursday.
Wednesday’s draw also paired Sheffield United against 13-time FA Cup winners Arsenal.
The Hillsborough faithful would hardly have arrived to watch their side take on a powerful-looking Manchester City line-up with much faith in a shock after a
run of only two wins in 13 Championship games for Sheffield Wednesday.
They gamely kept themselves in contention, however, as City’s overwhelming domination failed to present them with a shot
on target until the 48th minute.
Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez and David Silva all started for City, a mark of Guardiola’s respect for the Cup, but they could find no way through Wednesday’s massed defence.
John Stones headed a chance over, Nicolas Otamendi headed a Mahrez free kick against the crossbar and Benjamin Mendy’s ferocious shot produced a brilliant save from Joe Wil dsmith who turned it against the bar.
Sadly for Wildsmith he will rue City’s 53rd-minute winner. Mendy slid a pass to Aguero who turned sharply and fired in a well-hit shot that the keeper got a strong hand to but could not prevent from creeping in. It was Aguero’s 23rd goal of the season.
Wednesday, whose wretched form has blown any chance of promotion, only managed one shot but there were still a few late jitters for City who should have won more comfortably.
