Manchester City defeated Middlesbrough 2-0 to enter the semi-finals of the FA Cup at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
According to the Guardian, goals from Silva and Aguero were scant reward for City as they easily out-classed Middlesbrough, who probably feared such an outcome when they witnessed the team named by Guardiola.
But it was Leroy Sane's direct running which caught the eye and earned the plaudits with a textbook wing performance.
City have reached the last four of the FA Cup for the first time in four years as Guardiola aims to win some silverware in his first season in English football.
Worryingly for Middlesbrough, currently languishing in the relegation zone after failing to win any of their last 10 Premier League games, all City's world-class players were involved, despite the fact they face Monaco in a decisive Champions League last 16 second leg on Wednesday.
Leadbitter, whose inevitable booking eventually came at the end of the half, was employed more impressively when Middlesbrough finally troubled City midway through the half.
The midfielder's corner was met by Rudy Gestede, whose header was parried by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo before Zabaleta completed the clearance on the line.
Another header from Gestede drifted over the bar a minute later in his final contribution before an injury forced him off to be replaced by the former City forward Alvaro Negredo.
City had defeated West Ham, Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town so far in the competition and completely dominated against Middlesbrough.
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