AFCON 2025
Manchester City delivered a commanding performance, overwhelming Salford City with an 8-0 victory in the FA Cup third round at the Etihad Stadium.
The match commenced with City asserting their dominance early on. In the 8th minute, Jeremy Doku opened the scoring, finishing from a tight angle after a swift counter-attack initiated by Matheus Nunes and Jack Grealish.
City’s relentless pressure continued, and in the 20th minute, Divin Mubama netted his debut goal for the club. Savinho’s incisive pass found Nunes, who delivered a precise cross for Mubama to convert.
Just before halftime, Nico O’Reilly added to the tally, scoring his first goal for the senior team. Doku’s cross from the right flank found O’Reilly, who finished with composure, sending City into the break with a 3-0 lead.
The second half saw no respite for Salford. In the 49th minute, Jack Grealish ended his 13-month goal drought by converting a penalty after being fouled inside the box.
James McAtee, a local talent from Salford, then took center stage. He scored his first goal in the 62nd minute before Jeremy Doku secured his brace in the 69th minute, converting a penalty awarded for a handball by Salford’s captain, Curtis Tilt.
McAtee scored another in the 72nd minute and completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute, becoming the first English City player to score an FA Cup hat-trick since 2006.
This emphatic win marks Manchester City’s largest FA Cup victory since their 9-0 triumph over Gateshead in 1933.
Manchester City now advance to the FA Cup fourth round, with the draw scheduled to take place following the conclusion of the Arsenal vs. Manchester United match.
