Premier League giants Manchester City battered fourth-tier Salford City 8-0 as they dished out a ruthless lesson of clinical finishing as a host of fringe players took their chance to impress Pep Guardiola.
James McAtee scored a hat trick, while Nico O’Reilly and Divin Mubama both scored their first goals for City. Jeremy Doku scored a brace and Jack Grealish added another as City were rampant in the second half and could have scored many more.
The scoreline is a little harsh on Salford City, who were applauded off the pitch by their fans, as Karl Robinson’s League Two promotion hopefuls created some good chances both the gulf in class was huge.
There are less than five miles between the two teams geographically but in the biggest game in Salford City’s history they were shown just how far they have to go, as their famous owners dream of playing against the likes of Man City week in, week out one day.
Manchester City vs Salford City score: 8-0
Doku 8', 69', Mubama 20', O’Reilly 43', Grealish 49', McAtee 62', 72', 81'
Manchester City vs Salford City live updates, highlights
Hat trick for McAtee! — Manchester City 8-0 Salford City
Lovely football from City as they’re so patient and Grealish picks out McAtee who slots home. He has three and City have scored eight. Ilkay Gundogan could have made it nine late on too...
McAtee adds another — Manchester City 7-0 Salford City
Foden has a shot, but it’s weak and McAtee intercepts it and slots home calmly. We still have over 15 minutes to go...
This assist from @PhilFoden 😯
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025
James McAtee gets another for @ManCity 🩵#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/oU6hUr8HOZ
Doku scores a penalty — Manchester City 6-0 Salford City
Tilt gives away a penalty kick for a handball and Doku slots home the penalty. He’s had a great game.
Jérémy Doku with his second of the evening for @ManCity ✌️#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/5pljQ4fece
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025
James McAtee gets in on the act — Manchester City 5-0 Salford City
The local lad gets City’s fifth goal with a very tidy finish. This could be eight or nine...
A deft touch from James McAtee sees him grab his first Etihad goal 🤩#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/Jbf1mziBTO
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025
Penalty kick after Grealish is fouled... and he scores it! — Manchester City 4-0 Salford City
Nightmare start to the second half for Salford as a poor giveaway at the back ends up with Grealish getting taken out as he’s about to have a shot. A penalty kick is awarded and he smashes home the penalty kick.
He's deserved that 👏@JackGrealish with his first @ManCity goal since December 2023 🤩#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/pQPcWVDwIT
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025
Nico O’Reilly slots home a beauty! — Manchester City 3-0 Salford City
Doku does really well out on the left and cuts it back to O’Reilly. He takes a touch and slots home a low finish into the far corner. What a way to score his first professional goal for Man City. After a good spell from Salford, City go straight up the other end and score. Game over?
Cool, calm and collected in the box 🥶
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025
Nico O'Reilly with his first professional goal for @ManCity 🩵#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/VLnmoOayMk
Kouassi with a mazy run but he’s denied by Ederson
Best move of the game from Salford as they keep the ball well. Kouassi dribbles past several City players and then hits the ball back across goal but Ederson saves down low.
Mubama with a debut goal — Manchester City 2-0 Salford City
Savinho with a lovely pass to Nunes and he dinks the ball over to Divin Mubama who taps home. He has a debut goal for City. Is his name familiar? The young forward, 20, broke through at West Ham over the last few years after coming through their academy, but joined City in the summer.
Divin Mubama with a goal on his @ManCity debut 🤩#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/CQQmELZgpl
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025
Lund heads just over
Salford have responded well to going behind as Garbutt whips in a cross from the left and Lund wins the header easily but it just loops over. Despite that early goal, the visitors have been okay.
Doku slots home on the counter — Manchester City 1-0 Salford City
Man City win the ball back in midfield and Grealish slots in Doku on his left and the Belgian curls into the far bottom corner. Clinical on the counter from City. That will settle their much-changed team down.
Jérémy Doku just manages to find the net for @ManCity 🤏#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/P1b2xycWLR
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025
Manchester City lineup
Ederson; Nunes, Simpson-Pusey, Ake, O’Reilly; McAtee, Gundogan, Grealish; Savinho, Doku; Mubama
Salford City lineup
Young; Berkoe, Mnoga, Tilt, Garbutt; Lund, Ashley, Fornah; Adelakun, Kouassi, Shephard
Manchester City team news, focus
The likes of McAtee, Nunes, O’Reilly and Simpson-Pusey will all likely start but City will put out a pretty strong starting lineup as they look to keep their good recent form going. Expect Grealish, Doku, Walker and Gundogan to also play a big role as Pep Guardiola looks to have plenty of experience on the pitch and the big players in reserve on the bench just in case he needs them. The last thing he needs is more injured defenders, so perhaps a few midfielders will play out of position.
OUT: Rodri (torn ACL - MORE), John Stones (foot), Ederson (undisclosed), Ruben Dias (muscular), Oscar Bobb (lower leg)
Salford City team news, focus
There are several Salford players with lots of football league experience, with Jamaican international Curtis Tilt their captain and center back. Forward Cole Stockton is their top goalscorer, while former Liverpool midfielder Ben Woodburn is a real threat. Salford play a 3-1-4-2 formation and are solid defensively and have kept six-straight shutouts in their run of six consecutive wins in League Two. They’ve only conceded 19 goals this season, with only five teams having a better defensive record in England’s top four divisions this season.
Manchester City vs Salford City prediction
There is a whiff of an upset in the air but City should still have too much for Salford to handle. It may be level for a while, but go for a comfortable home win. Manchester City 3-0 Salford City.
Manchester City vs Salford City preview
Salford have several Manchester United legends as part of their ownership group, including David Beckham, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt. Their recent journey through the non-league scene and becoming a solid fourth-tier team is a real Cinderella story and this season Karl Robinson’s side are right in the hunt for promotion to the third-tier for the first time in club history. Salford currently occupy the final automatic promotion spot in League Two after an incredible run of six-straight wins. But this is a totally different challenge.
Yes, Manchester City have been struggling for months with confidence and poor defensive displays, but they’ve shown signs of finally recovering and have won two Premier League games on the bounce and are three games unbeaten. Pep Guardiola is hopeful they can still salvage something from this season with a top four finish now looking much more likely, while the FA Cup probably represents their best chance to win silverware as City are also struggling in the Champions League.
How to watch Manchester City vs Salford City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:45pm ET Saturday (January 11)
Venue: Etihad Stadium — Manchester
TV Channel/Streaming: ESPN+
