Manchester City have cruised into the semi-finals of the FA Cup courtesy of a thumping 5-0 victory over Barnsley this afternoon.
Carlos Tevez scored a hat-trick for the reigning Premier League champions, while Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva also got their names on the scoresheet.
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Dzeko squandered the first chance of the match when he was found unmarked in the box by Samir Nasri's cross. The Bosnian rose unchallenged but could only put his header over the bar from close range.
Tevez opened the scoring just a minute later, however, slotting home a rebound after Luke Steele had tipped a Silva strike onto the post.
Tevez turned provider in the 28th minute, setting up Kolarov to double City's lead. The Argentine was freed down the right by Dzeko before playing a low cross towards the back post, where the City full-back was waiting to stroke the ball into the bottom corner.
It was 3-0 just two minutes later when Silva found Tevez inside the area, allowing the striker to turn and shoot past Steele from six yards out.
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The Argentine completed his hat-trick less than five minutes into the second half when he scuffed a left-footed effort into the bottom corner having been found by Nasri.
The visitors almost grabbed a goal back on the hour mark when Jacob Mellis looped a volley goalwards, but Carlos Pantilimon was equal to the effort.
The City keeper was called upon again shortly afterwards, saving from both Ryan Tunnicliffe and Mellis in quick succession.
The hosts responded with a fifth goal as Silva and Tevez combined before the former saw his shot saved by Steele. However, the Spanish midfielder picked up the rebound and walked the ball over the line.
City almost made it six late on when substitute James Milner powered an effort goalwards from the edge of the box, but his strike came back off the post with Steele well beaten.
Barney Corkhill
