Marmoush Brace Fires Manchester City into FA Cup Quarter-Finals

Manchester City advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United, fueled by a brace from Omar Marmoush and a goal from Savinho. The match, played on Saturday, March 7, 2026, saw Pep Guardiola field a side with 10 changes from their midweek draw against Nottingham Forest, with Erling Haaland not even included in the matchday squad.

Match Recap

Newcastle took the lead in the 18th minute through Harvey Barnes, capitalizing on a pass from Tonali. However, City responded before halftime with a goal from Savinho, leveling the score at 1-1. The second half saw Marmoush grab center stage, scoring in the 47th minute to give City the lead, and then adding a stunning 25-yard strike in the 65th minute to seal the victory.

Guardiola’s Squad Rotation

Pep Guardiola opted for significant rotation, making 10 changes to the starting lineup from the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest. This decision allowed key players to rest ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash against Real Madrid. Despite the changes, City demonstrated their depth and quality, securing a convincing win.

Marmoush’s Impact

Omar Marmoush proved to be the difference-maker, scoring twice and continuing his impressive record against Newcastle. According to ESPN, half of Marmoush’s 14 City goals have come against Newcastle, averaging a goal every 43 minutes. He was substituted in the 73rd minute after a strong performance.

Newcastle’s Struggles

The defeat marks Newcastle’s fourth consecutive loss to Manchester City this season. Eddie Howe’s side will now turn their attention to their upcoming Champions League tie against Barcelona. The loss raises concerns about their Premier League form, where they currently sit 12th in the standings, as reported by The Guardian.

Key Statistics

• Manchester City Goals: Savinho, Omar Marmoush (2)
• Newcastle United Goals: Harvey Barnes
• Attendance: 51,109

Looking Ahead

Manchester City will now await the FA Cup quarter-final draw, continuing their pursuit of a quadruple. Newcastle will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for a crucial Champions League match against Barcelona. City have now won 19 of their past 21 FA Cup ties, reaching the quarter-finals for the eighth year in a row, as noted by ManCity.com.