Why Rayan Cherki got 'telling off' for premature shirt swap with Hugo Ekitike - 'Going to go down like a lead balloon!'

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Manchester City romped into the semi-finals of The Emirates FA Cup by thrashing Liverpool 4-0 thanks to yet another hat-trick from Erling Haaland. Creative midfielder Rayan Cherki was one of City's standout performers, but was "told off" after being replaced when he prematurely pulled on Hugo Ekitike's shirt while sitting on the bench, after swapping with his France team-mate before full-time.

Cherki PUTS ON Ekitike shirt after being substituted

Video credit: TNT Sports

Rayan Cherki was one of the stars of the show as Manchester City dismantled Liverpool to reach The Emirates FA Cup semi-finals – but one bizarre moment could "go down like a lead balloon."

The Frenchman produced some neat touches and mazy dribbles in a thumping 4-0 win at the Etihad Stadium, as well as laying on an assist for Antoine Semenyo that put the hosts three goals up early in the second half.

However, the TNT Sports commentary team of Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist questioned whether he may have undone some of his hard work after being replaced in the 71st minute with his team cruising.

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As Mohamed Salah prepared to take a corner, the camera panned to Cherki sitting on the Manchester City bench pulling on Hugo Ekitike’s Liverpool shirt back-to-front, having swapped with his compatriot.

However, he appeared to quickly be told to take it off and did so before holding up his hand in apparent apology.

Watching the incident unfold, Fletcher said: ”Cherki has actually swapped shirts with Ekitike, and he’s put it on on the City bench!”

Semenyo executes finish 'of the highest quality' to score Man City's third

Video credit: TNT Sports

”I think he’s getting a telling off there,” McCoist replied.

Fletcher added: ”That’s going to go down like a lead balloon in many quarters.”

As play continued, with Liverpool’s corner coming to nothing, the commentators came back to the moment.

McCoist said: ”That was a strange one, wasn’t it?”

”I’m hoping Ekitike’s not wearing Cherki’s as well at this stage,” Fletcher responded.

Just as he made the comment, the cameras showed a sullen Ekitike, who had been replaced himself a few minutes before Cherki, sitting on the Liverpool bench wearing a tracksuit.

”No, he’s alright,” Fletcher continued.

Cherki and Ekitike are team-mates for the France national team and are fresh back from representing Les Bleus together during the March international break.

Ekitike started and scored during a 2-1 win over Brazil before coming off the bench in a 3-1 victory against Colombia, in which Cherki started.

Before kick-off, the pair were pictured chatting and laughing together during the pitch inspection ahead of the team warm-ups.

But it was the City man who was left smiling on Saturday after a dominant victory, featuring a 28th career hat-trick from Haaland, sent them to Wembley once again.

Haaland completes hat-trick as Man City hit FOUR past Liverpool

Video credit: TNT Sports

Both Frenchmen have been in good form for their new clubs this season since arriving in the Premier League last summer.

Cherki, who joined City from Lyon, has nine goals and 10 assists in 45 games across all competitions for Pep Guardiola's side, while former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike has struck 17 times during a difficult season for The Reds.

City will discover their FA Cup semi-final opponents when the draw is made live on TNT Sports and HBO Max following West Ham's clash with Leeds United on Sunday, April 5.

Before then, Southampton face Arsenal and Chelsea welcome surprise package Port Vale in the other quarter-final clashes.

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and HBO Max

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