Despite falling behind in the first 10 minutes, Pep Guardiola’s men fought back to rack up 5 goals against their Championship opposition. Sergio Aguero continued his improved form with two goals.
Perhaps it is a sign of the times that Huddersfield, a second-tier team and a traditionally unfashionable club, made a host of changes for this game as they pursue promotion to the Premier League.
However, this didn’t prevent them from taking an early lead courtesy of a Harry Bunn strike. The youngsters shot going through the legs of Claudio Bravo.
For a while it appeared as if another FA Cup fifth round shock might take place. Although, romantics were soon to be disappointed as Leroy Sane levelled proceedings on 30 minutes with a tap-in. Manchester City never looked back from there. Aguero converted a penalty 5 minutes later before Pablo Zabaleta ensured that the hosts went in at half-time with a healthy buffer.
In all honesty, the second half was virtually academic. The 7,200 travelling Huddersfield fans did their best to inspire their side but they have bigger battles to fight.
David Wagner, looking on from the stands in what is the first of a two-match ban after an altercation with Leeds United manager Garry Monk, has transformed the Terriers from relegation strugglers to promotion chasers.
Unfortunately for him, his side ended up on the wrong end of a hiding tonight. Aguero struck his second of the game from a precise Raheem Sterling cross, in the 73rd minute. Kelechi Iheanacho then finished things off with a poked effort in the game’s dying moments.
Manchester City will now face fellow Premier League side Middlesbrough in the quarter-finals as Guardiola pursues his first title in English football.
Guardiola’s post-match reaction:
(Quotes courtesy of the BBC)
“Even in the moment (when we conceded) we were playing quite good, we made good things against a good team.
“We are happy because we’re in the quarter-finals. I was impressed with Huddersfield in both halves – they have good quality players. We missed a lot of the last passes. But OK – we knew how tough it could be and we play in a good performance.
“It’s the best Sergio Aguero ever. Today the performance was amazing. The runs were at the right moment and the right tempo. His performance was top – the same with Claudio Bravo, his performance with the foot helped us build up.”
