I was shocked by what Pep Guardiola asked Josko Gvardiol to do in Man City win vs Newcastle

Manchester City produced one of their most dominant performances of the season on a soaking wet night against Newcastle yesterday.

The scoreline may have only been 2-0, with both Bernardo Silva goals going in via deflections, but the hosts finished with 73% possession and mustered 16 shots on goal compared to Newcastle’s two.

Pep Guardiola has now guided the Blues to a record sixth consecutive FA Cup semi-final with his side still on for a second Treble. The control exuded by the hosts never relented but here are four things fans may have missed during the match:

ALSO READ: Man City player ratings vs Newcastle

ALSO READ: Kyle Walker backs up Pep Guardiola as Man City normalise brilliance

It is sometimes forgotten that Josko Gvardiol is a centre-back by trade, albeit has only played there in nine of his 29 games this season. The rest have come at left-back but the Croat was ordered to stay higher than usual against Newcastle.

It is perhaps no surprise that Gvardiol was in Newcastle’s half more than his own but he was teetering into the final third as an average position. John Stones has excelled in his hybrid role but few expected Gvardiol to become a high-pressing full-back - and look comfortable with it.

Ruben Dias is known for his leadership traits and was not about to relent these after Bernardo’s opener. After the ball found its way into the net, Dias was just as quick to pass on instructions to his teammates as he was to congratulate them.

Later in the game - perhaps Newcastle’s best chance - he applauded his colleagues after they forced Alexander Isak wide of the goal while on a dangerous break in the 66th minute. It was one of his most assured performances this term.

Many will have seen Erling Haaland hold his