Man City's double treble is on, Eddie Howe must reinvigorate Newcastle - Saturday's FA Cup and Premier League hits and misses

Man City will come up against far tougher opposition in the final months of this season across the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League - but that double treble is most definitely a possibility.

History would suggest it is next to impossible to repeat a feat that has only ever been done twice before by an English side but City are favourites in each of those competitions, despite a mouth-watering and challenging draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Their next outing at the Etihad against Arsenal after the international break could be a decisive one in the Premier League title race.

When City can make five changes, have Kevin De Bruyne sat in the stands and cruise into the FA Cup semi-finals without getting out of second gear, you get an appreciation of just how good they are - and how deep their quality runs. They are going to take some stopping on all three fronts.
Peter Smith

Coventry's heroic victory at Wolves earlier on Saturday showed that holders City couldn't take anything for granted when faced with Premier League opposition in their last-eight tie.

Newcastle were backed by 8,000 fans but the players were too meek, and took their punishment in a way which suggested the outcome was already a foregone conclusion. City are 38 games unbeaten at home. It's three FA Cup quarter-final defeats on the bounce for the Magpies.

Eddie Howe put on a brave face in the driving rain at the final whistle but he must already be planning for next season. He and those not called up for international duty embark on a fortnight's rest and recuperation in Dubai during a warm weather training camp.

They would be forgiven for wanting to stay in sunnier climes for the remaining weeks, given how their season is petering out.