Man City 3-0 Birmingham: Bernardo Silva scores double in one-sided FA Cup tie

Bernardos’s goals against Birmingham were his first of the season and the first time he had found the net for Manchester City since 11 July

Manchester City produced a polished performance to outclass Birmingham and reach the FA Cup fourth round.

The hosts were without striker Sergio Aguero, who did not even make the squad despite pre-match promises he would start, but two early goals by Bernardo Silva put them in full control and Phil Foden’s strike put the tie beyond doubt before half-time.

Pep Guardiola’s side, who beat Manchester United on Wednesday to reach the Carabao Cup final, took things easier in the second half but still dominated possession and gave Bernardo enough chances to complete his hat-trick.

Birmingham were on the back foot from the start, and fell behind when they could only clear Joao Cancelo’s clipped pass into the path of Bernardo, who expertly steered the bouncing ball into the top corner with a fierce first-time shot.

Another superb passing move soon after gave Bernardo his second goal, this time with a tap-in from Kevin de Bruyne’s pull-back.

The Belgian was in majestic form and opened up the Birmingham defence time and time again before Riyad Mahrez fed Foden to make it 3-0 from the edge of the area.

That advantage was always going to be enough to see off a Birmingham side who are 18th in the Championship and had lost five of their previous six league games, failing to score in the past three.

Birmingham took until the 34th minute to test Zack Steffen through George Friend’s deflected shot, but almost got a late consolation when substitute Jeremie Bela blasted just over from the edge of the area.

What next? Manchester City back at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City go into the draw for fourth and fifth rounds, taking place together on Monday, and will be back at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to host Brighton (18:00 GMT), the first of three successive home Premier League games.

Birmingham are not in action again until Saturday, when they travel to face Middlesbrough, their manager Aitor Karanka’s former club (12:30).

Line-ups Man City

Formation 4-1-4-1

13Steffen

27Cancelo2Walker3Rúben Dias22Mendy

16Rodri

26Mahrez17De Bruyne20Bernardo Silva47Foden

9Gabriel Jesus

Substitutes

Birmingham

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Prieto

2Colin19San José15Clarke-Salter5Friend

6Kieftenbeld34Sunjic

23Toral17Sánchez14Leko

9Hogan

Substitutes

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