Guehi Goal Sends Manchester City Into FA Cup Fifth Round | OneFootball

Manchester City Overcome Salford Test to Progress in FA Cup

Manchester City moved into the FA Cup fifth round, yet their route there carried tension, disruption, and reminders of football’s levelling capacity. Pep Guardiola’s much rotated side secured progression against League Two Salford, though the scoreline told only part of a story shaped by resistance and resilience.

City arrived buoyed by history and expectation. Seven time winners, fresh from scoring ten against Exeter in the previous round, they began with the authority such pedigree demands.

Fast Start Masks Underlying Struggles

The breakthrough arrived early, inside six minutes, when Alfie Dorrington diverted the ball beyond his own goalkeeper under pressure. It handed Manchester City immediate control, at least on the scoreboard.

Yet rhythm never truly followed. Guardiola had made nine changes, rotating personnel across defensive and attacking lines, and cohesion understandably faltered. Passing sequences lacked their usual tempo, attacking patterns felt improvised rather than choreographed.

Further disruption came when Max Alleyne departed through injury in the 22nd minute. Defensive reshuffling blunted City’s structural comfort and handed Salford encouragement.

Salford Response Raises Stakes

Salford, beaten 8-0 by Manchester City in this competition last season, displayed both courage and tactical discipline. They regrouped impressively after the early concession and created genuine first half danger.

Ben Woodburn forced James Trafford into a sharp save with a driven strike, a moment that stirred belief among the visitors. Shortly before the interval, Brandon Cooper rose from a corner but headed narrowly wide.

The chances carried symbolic weight. Salford were no longer participants, they were competitors.

After the restart, Dutch midfielder Kelly N’Mai came close again, driving into Trafford’s chest following a swift attacking transition. For spells, City were stretched, their dominance territorial rather than decisive.

Photo: IMAGO

Guardiola Turns to Reinforcements

Recognising the need for sharper energy, Guardiola turned to his bench. Antoine Semenyo, Marc Guehi, and Nico O’Reilly were introduced to accelerate tempo and restore attacking thrust.

The tactical shift was immediate. Movement improved, pressing gained bite, and Manchester City began to pen Salford deeper inside their own half.

The decisive moment arrived in the 81st minute. Goalkeeper Matthew Young parried a dangerous cross into traffic, and Marc Guehi reacted instinctively, converting from close range to score his first goal for the club.

It proved the tie settling contribution. Composure replaced anxiety inside the Etihad.

Historic Record Extended at Home

Progression preserved a formidable FA Cup statistic. This victory marked Manchester City’s 17th consecutive home win in the competition, a run stretching back to their 2015 fourth round defeat against Middlesbrough.

Across that sequence, City have scored 77 goals while keeping 11 clean sheets, evidence of sustained domestic cup authority. Yet this performance felt more functional than fluent.

Guardiola’s side are pursuing a fourth consecutive FA Cup final appearance, ambitions that demand sharper execution than displayed here.

Positives Within Imperfect Display

Despite uneven collective rhythm, individual positives emerged.

John Stones completed his first start since November without physical setback, an encouraging development given his defensive importance across multiple competitions.

James Trafford, deputising for Gianluigi Donnarumma, delivered composed goalkeeping when required. His saves against Woodburn and N’Mai reinforced his readiness ahead of the upcoming Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.

Guehi’s maiden Manchester City goal added another encouraging subplot, his defensive authority complemented by decisive attacking contribution.

Salford, meanwhile, depart with credit. Co-owned by Gary Neville and David Beckham, the League Two club matched elite opposition for long stretches and will draw confidence as they pursue promotion ambitions.

Cup football often measures character as much as quality. Manchester City advanced, tested yet intact, their FA Cup pursuit alive and their standards quietly reminded.