Manchester City eased past Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Riverside to book an FA Cup semi-final date at Wembley Stadium next month.
David Silva stabbed home City’s opener after three minutes, but the visitors were guilty of missing some glorious chances to stretch their lead.
However, Sergio Aguero finally added City’s second in the 67th minute, firing home from close range following Leroy Sane’s cross.
It was the perfect start for City as Yaya Toure played it wide for Pablo Zabaleta, whose first-time cross was turned home by Silva from six yards out.
Boro came within inches of equalising midway through the first half as Claudio Bravo spilled Rudy Gestede’s header, but thankfully for the City goalkeeper Zabaleta was on hand to clear off the goal-line.
Sane then fluffed his lines from seven yards out, slicing his effort towards the grateful Brad Guzan following a passing move which was a near-carbon copy of their opening goal.
Christian Stuani spurned a great opportunity to level the game, heading straight at Bravo from Marten de Roon’s pinpoint cross.
After the break, City probed down the right wing once more, but this time Silva blazed over from a similar position to his opener.
Aguero then turned an effort onto the post after City again attacked from the right – this time it was Raheem Sterling delivering the low cross.
The fingertips of Guzan denied Silva a second just after the hour mark, while the Boro’ keeper turned Sane’s effort round the post moments later.
City eventually extended their lead after 67 minutes as Aguero made amends for his earlier miss with a simple tap-in from Sane’s cross.
Boro almost reduced the deficit with 15 minutes to go, but Bravo got a hand to Fabio’s header before cleared it off the line.
City are now unbeaten in 11 games under Pep Guardiola, and now just one game stands between them and an FA Cup final.
Credit: Sky sports
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