At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City displayed an extraordinary level of dominance in their FA Cup third-round match, thrashing Salford City with a resounding 8-0 victory. This performance showcased their attacking depth and defensive solidity, setting the tone for their journey in this historic tournament.
The match began with an early breakthrough from Jérémy Doku, whose eighth-minute strike opened the floodgates for a relentless City offense. Just minutes later, Divin Mubama doubled the lead, demonstrating the team’s hunger for goals. Nico O’Reilly added his name to the scoresheet in the 43rd minute, sending City into halftime with a comfortable 3-0 advantage.
The second half further amplified Salford’s struggles, as Jack Grealish converted a penalty in the 49th minute, cementing his influence on the game. James McAtee stole the spotlight with an impressive hat-trick, scoring in the 62nd, 72nd, and 81st minutes. His clinical finishing earned him the “Player of the Match” accolade, as highlighted by the FA Cup’s social media channels.
Jérémy Doku rounded off the scoring with another penalty in the 69th minute, further emphasizing City’s precision and tactical superiority. Salford City, despite their best efforts, found themselves outclassed in all facets of the game, managing only two shots on target compared to City’s ten.
The team statistics underscored Manchester City’s dominance: 69% possession, 513 completed passes with an 88% accuracy rate, and six corners won. Salford City, by contrast, struggled to gain any foothold, registering only 31% possession and committing 11 fouls in a desperate attempt to contain City’s firepower.
Pep Guardiola’s decision to rotate his squad paid off handsomely, with young talents like McAtee and Mubama stepping up in the absence of senior stars. The game also featured solid contributions from substitutes such as Mateo Kovačić and Phil Foden, reflecting the depth and versatility of Manchester City’s squad.
This emphatic win propels Manchester City into the fourth round of the FA Cup, reaffirming their ambitions to conquer multiple competitions this season. Meanwhile, Salford City’s journey in the tournament ends here, but their presence in the third round remains a commendable achievement.
Manchester City’s commanding performance sends a clear message to their rivals: the FA Cup is yet another stage where they intend to shine. As the competition heats up, fans can look forward to more electrifying displays from this formidable squad.