London [UK], April 5: Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick as Manchester City thrashed Liverpool 4-0 to power into the FA Cup semi-finals for a record-extending eighth successive season.
Antoine Semenyo was also on target as City maintained their bid for a second domestic treble with a commanding display at the Etihad Stadium.
It was another dismal afternoon in an underwhelming season for Liverpool and their frustration was compounded when Mohamed Salah was denied from the penalty spot by James Trafford.
Salah was making his first appearance since announcing he would leave the Reds at the end of the season and this was not the way he wanted to begin his final stretch of games.
The result increased the pressure on Liverpool boss Arne Slot ahead of a daunting Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea brush aside Vale
Chelsea ended another difficult week in their turbulent season on a high by reaching the FA Cup semi-finals with a 7-0 win over Port Vale that eased the pressure on Liam Rosenior.
The head coach sent out a near full-strength starting team against the League One strugglers with the notable exception of Enzo Fernandez, suspended internally over his flirtations with Real Madrid but present at Stamford Bridge to see his team book their place at Wembley.
After back to back Premier League defeats and a Champions League humbling by Paris Saint-Germain, this was further humiliation avoided and with room to spare.
Jorrel Hato and Joao Pedro scored in the first half while Cole Palmer forced an own goal from Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel to make it three by the break.
Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos and Estevao added three more in the second half before Alejandro Garnacho converted a stoppage-time penalty, ensuring a path to silverware remained open amidst all the lingering doubts about the club's present direction.
Marc Cucurella, who like Fernandez had irked his manager by publicly challenging the Blues' transfer policy, was left on the bench.
Rosenior said before kick-off he would not sanction the defender for airing his discontent in the media and, unlike Fernandez, he will likely return when Manchester City visit west London in a week. That could yet prove a warm-up for a cup semi-final meeting later in April.
Source: Qatar Tribune
