Manchester City Progress in FA Cup with Hard-Fought Win Over Salford
Manchester City advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, but it was far from a straightforward victory as they edged past League Two side Salford with a 2-0 scoreline at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola's team, who made nine changes to their lineup, relied on an early own goal from Alfie Dorrington and a late effort from substitute Marc Guehi to secure the win.
Early Breakthrough Sets the Tone
The match took a decisive turn in the sixth minute when Alfie Dorrington inadvertently diverted Rayan Ait-Nouri's low cross into his own net, giving City an early lead. This unfortunate moment drained much of the contest's intensity, allowing City to control proceedings without needing to be at their best. Despite the setback, Salford, part-owned by former Manchester United players Gary Neville and David Beckham, managed to settle into the game and create chances.
Salford's Resilience and City's Response
Former Liverpool midfielder Ben Woodburn tested City goalkeeper James Trafford with a fine shot before halftime, while Brandon Cooper also headed narrowly wide. City faced a setback when right-back Max Alleyne was forced off after a collision with Josh Austerfield in the 22nd minute. As the game progressed, Salford grew in confidence, with Kelly Nmai threatening from the wings and forcing Trafford into action.
Guardiola introduced fresh legs in the second half, bringing on Antoine Semenyo, Nico O'Reilly, and Marc Guehi to reinvigorate the attack. The move paid off when Guehi, who joined City from Crystal Palace last month, scored his first goal for the club nine minutes from time. He pounced on a rebound after Matt Young pushed away a Rayan Cherki cross, sealing the victory. Semenyo also hit the post in the closing minutes as City finished strongly.
Post-Match Reflections and Implications
With top scorer Erling Haaland and captain Bernardo Silva not even on the bench, Guardiola used the opportunity to rotate his squad ahead of a full week's rest before resuming their Premier League title challenge. Despite the lack of excitement for much of the match, City's ability to keep Salford at arm's length and secure a clean sheet will satisfy the manager. The win sets up a fifth-round clash and highlights City's depth, even in a far-from-convincing performance.
