Man City goalscorer Lewis says FA Cup semi-final win proved they are still a top team | OneFootball

Rico Lewis says Man City showed they are still a top team with their 2-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Nottingham Forest.

The 20-year-old opened the scoring in just the second minute of the game, firing low and hard into the bottom corner to give City the best possible start.

Manchester City have faced a difficult season, falling to fourth in the Premier League table and exiting the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid in February.

Guardiola’s team have also faced the absences of key players in Erling Haaland and Rodri, but the chance to win a trophy could add a silver lining to an otherwise dismal season.

“Yeah, obviously I’m over the moon with the goal,” Lewis said to ITV Sport following the match.

“Again, today we showed character, I think this season we’ve showed character.

“It’s not always been smooth sailing for us, but I think we’ve picked ourselves up with the injuries that we’ve had at the start of the season, throughout the season.

“And we’ve shown that we’re a top team, we’ve got top players, and we can get through tough situations.”

Forest did have chances – Anthony Elanga fired wide from close range before both Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awonyi struck the post.

But it was Josko Gvardiol who doubled the City lead in the 51st minute, the Croatian rising highest to power in Omar Marmoush’s corner.

“Today was a tough game, but we showed a different side of our game, where we can survive and get through it at the end,” Lewis added.

Having spent much of the season deployed in defence, Lewis was given the start in midfield today by Pep Guardiola.

The City academy graduate explained: “It’s a position I like to play, it’s different to playing as a full-back and then coming inside, you’re always inside.”

City will play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final in May, following the Eagles’ 3-0 victory over Aston Villa yesterday.