Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 8-0 Salford City (FA Cup Third Round) | OneFootball

Manchester City enjoyed what has become a rare evening to enjoy, as they obliterated League Two opponents Salford City 8-0 to progress into the FA Cup fourth round.

City were keen to wrap the game up swiftly and they ruthlessly did it in the first-half, with Jeremy Doku notching his fourth goal of the season and then both Divin Mubama and Nico O’Reilly striking for the club for the first time.

The game was over within 45 minutes but City kept their professionalism, rounding off the rout through Jack Grealish from the penalty spot, a second for Doku also from 12 yards, and a hat-trick from academy product James McAtee.

Doku had already given Salford a fright in the opening stages by beating two men down the left wing and firing over a dangerous cross; he then gave City the lead inside ten minutes when Matheus Nunes broke through the midfield and found Grealish, with the Englishman playing it on to the Belgian who provided City a welcome early settler.

Things were looking ugly for Salford and it was two within 20 minutes – Savinho played a lovely weighted pass into the half-space for Nunes, and he put it on a plate for Mubama to tap in and make it a debut to remember.

City’s attacking intent slowed down for a while, and Salford had their first opening after a mazy run from Kouassi which ended in a scuffed shot that Ederson gathered.

And the Salford striker ought to have halved the deficit soon after when Hakeeb Adelakun swung in a free-kick and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey lost flight of the ball, but his 21-year-old strike partner couldn’t sort his feet out to finish.

The hosts duly punished them with the third goal of the half; Doku received the ball on the left for the umpteenth time and picked out O’Reilly in space in the box, and the teenager followed in Mubama’s footsteps by notching his first Manchester City goal.

The floodgates didn’t stop at the beginning of the second-half, as Grealish drew a penalty from Ossama Ashley’s challenge and duly took the kick himself for his first City goal since December 2023.

City’s foot was off the gas but the goals kept flowing, with Nunes and Doku again combining down the right and the latter crossing accurately into the middle, where McAtee was waiting to gleefully tuck in his first goal at the Etihad Stadium.

The sixth goal had Doku’s imprint again as Phil Foden teed up the Belgian to shoot against the arm of Salford captain Curtis Tilt, meaning a second penalty for the Blues and a second goal for Doku when he rolled it into the bottom corner.

Not long later it was seven, as Foden again found space and released a shot which dropped at McAtee’s feet, and the midfielder had all the time in the world to pick his spot for a second time.

Every City fan would have been praying to see one of their own earn the match ball after that and it happened, as Grealish popped up on the left with a low delivery and McAtee threw himself at it with all of his (blue) heart, bundling home and being swarmed by his team-mates to congratulate him on living out every supporter’s dream.

More chances to add even further to the scoreline came and went, but City will be absolutely delighted with this performance and win which sees them through to the next round of the cup – here’s how we rated the players from Manchester City’s smashing win over Salford City!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Ederson – 7.5

Rarely had a save to make on his return from injury, but still managed to catch the eye with his usual array of flawless passing.

Matheus Nunes – 8.5

Yet another new position for the Portuguese to adapt to this season, but after today, he might fancy playing right-back more often! Never troubled defensively and raided to good effect going forwards, including collecting an assist.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey – 7.5

Confidence on and off the ball not befitting his tender years. Also nice for him to be on the winning side for the first time for Manchester City after some rotten luck in the games he’s been involved in since promotion from the youth setup.

Nathan Ake – 7

A predictably uneventful evening’s work, and he was afforded the rest of the night off after 45 more minutes into his injury recovery.

Nico O’Reilly – 8.5

Supremely technical and physical display, made all the more impressive as he was out of position. Converted his first City goal with composure too.

Ilkay Gundogan – 8

Would be nice to see him play so well in more competitive circumstances, but regardless of bus struggles this term, must be commended for his control of the game today.

James McAtee – 10 (MOTM)

A joyous evening for the ‘Salford Silva’ as he hit his first City hat-trick. Perhaps just as pleasing for Pep Guardiola will be the academy graduate’s relentless work-rate throughout.

Jack Grealish – 9

Hopefully the confidence-builder he has been crying out for. Really creative, earning two assists, and finally broke his goalscoring duck.

Savinho – 7.5

Some of his theatrics were less than impressive, but his footballing talents were on show again in his willingness to drive at Salford and a lovely pre-assist on Mubama’s goal.

Divin Mubama – 7.5

Looked raw but with plenty to like on his debut. Occupied the Salford defence and was well-placed for his first City goal.

Jeremy Doku – 10

Exactly his kind of game, with plentiful opportunities to run at the defence and cause all manner of problems. The end product that’s sometimes missing from his game was on point today too as he scooped two goals and two assists for his tally.

Substitutes

Manuel Akanji – 7

Stayed sharp when he needed to despite being under so little pressure.

Phil Foden – 7

Carved out a few goals as he looked hungry despite the state of the game when he came on.

Mateo Kovacic – 6

A little slack.