Man City into FA Cup quarters with record 15th straight win

One of most relentless schedules in history of English soccer hasn’t stopped Manchester City putting toger a record-setting run of wins.

It’s 15 straight victories and counting for Pep Guardiola’s irrepressible team, which has ar domestic treble in its sights.

By beating second-tier Swansea 3-1 to reach FA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, City broke record for most consecutive wins in all competitions by a top-flight team, a mark that had lasted for nearly 130 years. Preston won 14 in a row in 1892 and that was later matched by Arsenal’s class of 1987.

City has gone one better during a pandemic, when matches in Premier League or domestic cup competitions are being played every three or four days to fit m into a condensed season that started a month later than usual.

Indeed, by also advancing last month to English League Cup final, City has played every weekend and midweek since v. 21 — except for an eight-day break from Dec. 26-Jan. 3 during which team’s training ground was closed because of a coronavirus outbreak. number of first-team players to test positive ran into double figures.

“That means a lot in this toughest period, in Christmas and winter time,” said Guardiola, whose side leads Premier League by five points with a game in hand. “To do what we have done in this time is quite remarkable.”

Guardiola earned his 200th win in 268 games in charge of team.

City won 20 straight games in all competitions from August-December 2017, also under Guardiola, but one of those victories came in a penalty shootout in League Cup after a 0-0 draw after extra time.

Also advancing to last eight was Sheffield United, a 1-0 winner against second-tier Bristol City, and Leicester, which beat Brighton by same score thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal in fourth minute of stopp time.

EASY FOR CITY

In 2018-19 season, City became first English team to achieve domestic treble, beating Swansea en route to winning FA Cup that year by coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in quarterfinals.

City didn’t need to produce anything as dramatic this time, taking lead in 30th when Kyle Walker’s low cross into penalty area was missed by sliding Ferran Torres at near post and ended up creeping inside far post.

Rodri played in Raheem Sterling to double advant in 47th, before Gabriel Jesus controlled a header across goal by Bernardo Silva and slammed in a left-footed shot three minutes later.

Morgan Whittaker grabbed a consolation for Swansea, which included two United States internationals -- Jordan Morris, who made his first start, and Paul Arriola, who made his debut as a second-half substitute following his loan move from D.C. United. ir U.S. teammate, Zeck Steffen, played in goal for City.

Everton was hosting Tottenham in late game Wednesday.

Manchester United and Bournemouth advanced to quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Im credits: AP