Manchester City made a resounding statement in their FA Cup campaign, steamrolling fourth-tier Salford City with an 8-0 victory at the Etihad on Saturday. While the match may have seemed a potential banana skin for the reigning Premier League champions, City dispatched their lower-league opposition with ease, asserting their dominance from the outset.
Despite fielding a much-changed lineup, Pep Guardiola’s side delivered a masterclass in attacking football. The spotlight shone brightly on Divin Mubama, who marked his senior debut with a goal, and James McAtee, who lit up the second half with an impressive hat-trick.
Jeremy Doku set the tone early, finding the net in the eighth minute to give City the lead. Mubama then tapped in to double the advantage, and Nico O’Reilly added a third before halftime, effectively putting the game out of Salford’s reach.
The onslaught continued after the break. Jack Grealish, a consistent creative force throughout, won and converted a penalty in the 49th minute to make it 4-0. McAtee then took center stage, scoring three times in quick succession during a devastating 20-minute spell. Doku capped off the rout with a second penalty, completing the demolition.
Salford City, owned in part by Manchester United legends such as Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, had hoped to make a memorable stand against their illustrious neighbors. Instead, they were overwhelmed by a relentless City side showcasing depth and quality in every position.
With the victory, Manchester City march confidently into the FA Cup fourth round, reminding everyone why they remain one of the most formidable teams in world football. For Salford, the experience may sting, but it also underscores the gulf in class between England’s elite and the lower tiers. For City fans, it was a performance to savor, blending promise from emerging talents with the clinical edge of established stars.
