Sports
FA Cup: Aguero sends Man City through, Norwich knock out Tottenham
Sergio Aguero’s second-half goal proved enough for holders Manchester City to beat second-tier Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 on Wednesday and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, but Pep Guardiola’s side made hard work of it.
Jose Mourinho’s problems piled up as his Tottenham Hotspur side were bundled out in a penalty shootout by the Premier League’s bottom club Norwich City.
The match ended 1-1 after extra time but Norwich keeper Tim Krul saved two penalties to send his side through and condemn Tottenham to a fourth successive defeat.
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 Wildsmith 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.