Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Manchester City: Holders progress to FA Cup quarter-finals

Manchester City overcame a spirited Sheffield Wednesday to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals and stay on course for a domestic and European cup treble.

Up until the Argentine found the net with a strong left-foot finish, City had been frustrated by a stubborn Wednesday defensive performance.

Nicolas Otamendi and Benjamin Mendy both hit the bar when the tie was goalless yet City, who dominated possession, had to wait 48 minutes before they managed a shot on target.

Wednesday have endured a wretched run of form and although City keeper Claudio Bravo did not have a save to make, they at least ensured they were not embarrassed.

Aguero, who scored in the 2-1 Carabao Cup final win over Aston Villa on Sunday, has now netted 20 FA Cup goals in 22 ties since joining City in 2011.

• Man City to face Newcastle in quarter-finals - full draw
• De Bruyne a doubt for Manchester derby

City thirsty for more trophies

Hot on the heels of their domestic cup triumph at Wembley, City arrived in Sheffield looking to progress in another competition.

Liverpool may be galloping away with the Premier League but Pep Guardiola's men, who lead Real Madrid 2-1 after the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, still have a thirst for more trophies after securing the sixth piece of major silverware since the boss arrived in 2016.

Although there was no Kevin de Bruyne, who Guardiola revealed after the game was not fit, City still put out a side that boasted a combined 144 Premier League starts this season.

Gabriel Jesus started on the left of a front three yet City ended the first half without managing an attempt on target - the first time Guardiola's side have not forced a save in 45 minutes since they played Wednesday's rivals Sheffield United in December.

It was not until the 33rd minute that they seriously threatened, Otamendi crashing a header against the bar after connecting with Riyad Mahrez's free-kick following a foul on Bernardo Silva.

For a side that arrived for this tie having scored 109 goals in all competitions, City were strangely subdued in front of goal as John Stones headed a glorious chance over before Aguero forced Joe Wildsmith into his first save in the 48th minute.

City dominated the second half and once Aguero scored - soon after Mendy had rattled the bar with a ferocious attempt - there only looked to be one outcome.

Valiant Owls show good reaction

Wednesday fans gave their team a standing ovation after the final whistle - something Hillsborough has not witnessed for some time.

While neighbours Sheffield United are flying in the Premier League and chasing a place in Europe, Wednesday's season has fallen flat.

Third in the table in December, the Owls are treading water in mid-table after a dreadful run of form in 2020.

This was a chance for Garry Monk's side to forget about their league troubles - a free hit against Premier League royalty - and for long spells they acquitted themselves well as City were limited to a handful of chances in a largely uneventful first half.

They started strongly with Jacob Murphy showing confidence to get the game's first shot away but Wednesday spent long periods penned inside their own half.

In the end, it was a valiant performance by the hosts and a good reaction after their poor run. Monk will hope they can now start to pick up in the league.

Man of the match Bernardo Silva - (Manchester City)

'The players did exactly what I asked' - what they said

Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk: "In terms of the game plan we had, the players did exactly what I asked them to do and delivered it at a very good level.

"Overall, I was disappointed to lose the game, especially on a goal that should have been offside. We would rather have lost to a goal that was more legitimate, but credit to them, they are a fantastic team.

"But I've said it all along, when these players follow a game plan with that level of commitment and attitude - that's why we were third at Christmas.

"We've come off that in the last 10 games or so. We need to get back to that but tonight hopefully gives the players the confidence to go and do that in the remaining games."

Prolific Sergio - the stats

• Since Pep Guardiola joined Manchester City in August 2016, the Spaniard has overseen 15 victories in FA Cup matches - at least five more wins in the competition than any other manager over this period.
• Manchester City have kept 11 clean sheets in their 18 FA Cup matches under Guardiola, conceding just nine times.
• In all competitions, Sheffield Wednesday have lost six of their last eight games at home.
• City striker Sergio Aguero is the outright leading scorer of all Premier League players this season, netting 23 times across all competitions so far in 2019-20.
• Sheffield Wednesday's one and only shot of the match was the first attempt from either side in the game - coming from Jacob Murphy.

What's next?

While the Owls turn their attention back to the Championship and a visit to Brentford on Saturday (15:00 GMT), City have a derby to prepare for and a visit to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Sunday (16:30 GMT).