FA Cup Sixth Round - 9 March 2013

MANCHESTER CITY V BARNSLEY

The twelfth and final leg of this season’s FA Cup run is the first where it is raining on the match day. Well it is Manchester, and as a native, if exiled, Mancunian I am entitled to comment. However after a two hour drive over the misty Pennines the rain stops and it’s merely cold and overcast for the walk from the car park to the ground, such is the magic of the FA Cup.

The Etihad looks majestic from the approach, and is equally impressive once inside the stadium with the contoured roof giving as much style as is possible to a bowl filled with fifty thousand tiered seats. With half an hour to kick off one end is already packed with red-scarfed Tykes in very good voice determined to enjoy their day away from the pressures at the wrong end of the Championship.

The rest of the seats are sparsely populated to begin with, City fans remaining in the warmth of the concourses while they contemplate the match as an opportunity to impose their Premiership quality or a potential embarrassing banana skin. Winning the FA Cup is vital, with their chance of retaining the league title all but gone. By kick off the seats are filled and "Blue Moon" resounds around the ground.

City start by trying to retain possession and calmly pass the ball around, but Barnsley are up for the game, and press high up to force the first corner of the game. It comes to nought and soon City respond with Nasri progressing down the left and whipping in a cross that Dzeko heads just over the bar. The left flank looks promising for City, and when Dzeko finds space out there he passes infield to Yaya Toure whose first time flick up and over the static Barnsley defence gives Silva an opportunity to stab an effort at goal. Barnsley keeper Steele dives but only pushes the attempt onto the post, whence it falls to the alert Tevez who taps in decisively.

This is a settler for City, and Barnsley find it difficult to get the ball. When they do get possession it is the City team who turn hustler and rapidly win it back. On one such occasion, 20 minutes in, it is Dzeko who tackles well in midfield and quickly plays Tevez through on the right. He makes ground rapidly but then makes a measured cross to the unmarked Kolorov steaming in from the left back position; he puts his trusty left boot through the ball to send it back across Steele and into the net.

Ten minutes later Kolarov pushes forward again, this time he crosses to the near post where Silva’s quick feet turn the ball to Tevez in the six yard box. Despite having his back to goal, and a couple of defenders on his back, he manages to turn and fire home for what is now a three nil lead, and possibly game over.

There is still time before the break for more City attacks, with Tevez again at the forefront, heading over at the far post then having a shot from the edge of the box saved by Steele. There is also a rare Barnsley chance when Dagnall gets his head to a cross but sends the ball well wide of the unemployed City keeper, Pantilimon.

The half time interval is enlivened by a kick and rush game between the City and Barnsley mascots (the small children that is, not the adults in furry costumes). How much consolation a 2-1 Barnsley victory gives the visiting fans is questionable.

Whatever manager David Flitcroft told his players at half time probably did not include giving, five minutes in, a chest high back pass to their keeper. Steele can only poke it out of play for a throw-in. From this, Nasri beats his man, makes ground along the dead ball line and passes across the six yard box to the poorly marked Tevez. While not the best connection he’s ever made with his left foot it’s enough to sweep the ball into the corner of the net to complete a hat trick and put City 4-0 up.

Flitcroft responds with three substitutions, either as a last gamble to get something from the game or, realising a lost cause, to rest key players for the relegation struggles ahead.

These changes, or City’s relaxation, produces a flurry of Barnsley possession, time spent in the City half, and some work for Pantilimon. First he has to save a right foot shot on target from Mellis. Shortly after, Tunnicliffe bursts through on goal and is only denied by the sprawling keeper’s legs; the ball rebounds to Scotland who sets up Mellis for another shot, but Pantilimon is back on his feet and gathers easily.

City wake up and retain control. Tevez moves threateningly down the right and, given the time he can only usually dream of, finds Silva running into the penalty area. Silva takes the ball in his stride and hits it firmly at goal. Steele saves the shot but sees the ball merely go back to Silva who runs it into the net. The Barnsley keeper has been a bit unlucky with two good saves counting for nothing as the rebounds were gobbled up by the City forwards.

Milner comes on for Tevez, who goes off to appreciative if not ecstatic applause (some City fans more forgiving than others); but he has scored three and made the other two goals.

At 5-0 with a quarter of the game left City take their foot off the gas. Apart from Dzeko that is, who has played well but clearly thinks he should have a goal or two, himself. He tries some improbable shots, and strains for headers but without coming close. It is Milner who almost caps the performance. Coming in from the right wing he unleashes a curling left foot drive that Steele can only watch as it thumps off the far post and, for once, rebounds to safety.

The game ends with the outcome expected by most. City played well, Tevez brought his A-game which is difficult for any defence to cope with, and what luck was going went their way. Barnsley have had a day out to remember and may be stronger for the experience.

A Wembley semi-final awaits Manchester City along with the possibility of a tougher opponent from across the town.