Pep Guardiola has challenged his Manchester City players to prepare for their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid by winning the FA Cup.
City will face Real when they return to European action and having passed their Premier League crown to Liverpool last week, they are determined to add another trophy to their collection before locking horns with the Spanish giants.
The Sky Blues took a significant step towards doing so on Sunday when they booked an FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal by beating Newcastle 2-0 at St James' Park.
"We are delighted after the defeat against Chelsea to be in London again at Wembley to play against Arsenal in the semi-final to try to reach the final of the FA Cup," said Guardiola.
"We spoke after what happened in the Premier League - we need two more victories to qualify for Champions League.
"But we have two competitions we can win. We made the first step today. It will be good to arrive against Real Madrid in the best condition."
Kevin de Bruyne's first-half penalty and a superb strike by Raheem Sterling after the break earned City victory following a dominant display.
Newcastle did improve marginally after halftime and substitute Dwight Gayle somehow missed a open goal when the score was 1-0.
One minute later Sterling curled home a delightful effort to seal City's progress.
Substitute Daniel Ceballos fired Arsenal to a 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane to book their spot in the last-four.
John Lundstram had an early header ruled out for offside for Sheffield United, who went behind when Chris Basham fouled Alexandre Lacazette in the penalty area and Pepe rattled home the spot- kick in the 23rd minute.
The game looked to be heading for extra time when David McGoldrick equalised in the 87th minute, hooking home a volley after Arsenal failed to clear a corner, but Ceballos popped up to slot home the winner.
Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley came off the bench to seal a 1-0 victory at Leicester City.
Barkley, one of the three changes manager Frank Lampard made at halftime, slid home the winner in the 63rd minute as Chelsea set up a clash with Manchester United.
Leicester were the better side before the break and had the bulk of the chances against a lethargic Chelsea, but the visitors were a different proposition after the interval.
Tammy Abraham had a goal ruled out for offside and then Barkley found space in the area to clip in Willian's measured cross past Kasper Schmeichel.
All four of this year's Cup quarter-finals, all played behind closed doors, were won by the away team - the first time that has happened since 1987.
Australian Associated Press
