Manchester City progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over League Two side Salford City on Saturday, a result that lacked the fireworks of their previous encounter but secured crucial advancement.
Guardiola's Rotation Strategy
Pep Guardiola made nine changes to his usual starting lineup, opting to rest top scorer Erling Haaland and captain Bernardo Silva entirely. This highlighted the manager's focus on squad management amid a busy schedule, with City prioritising their Premier League title challenge.
Early Breakthrough and Stubborn Resistance
The match's tempo was set early when Salford defender Alfie Dorrington diverted a low cross from Rayan Ait-Nouri into his own net after just six minutes. Despite this setback, Salford, co-owned by former Manchester United icons Gary Neville and David Beckham, grew into the game.
City faced defensive issues as right-back Max Alleyne was forced off injured after 22 minutes following a collision. Salford created chances, with Ben Woodburn forcing a fine save from James Trafford before halftime, and Brandon Cooper heading narrowly wide.
Guehi Seals Victory
As the second half progressed, Salford's confidence grew, testing City's defence. However, the introduction of substitutes Antoine Semenyo, Nico O'Reilly, and Marc Guehi proved decisive. Guehi pounced on a rebound nine minutes from time after Matt Young parried a Rayan Cherki cross, scoring his first goal for Manchester City to secure the win.
Semenyo struck the post in the closing stages, but City's quality ultimately told in a match that lacked spectacle but delivered the required result.
Post-Match Reflections
Guardiola will be satisfied with the progression and the opportunity to rest key players ahead of crucial Premier League fixtures. The victory, though unconvincing, keeps City on track in the FA Cup while managing squad fatigue effectively.
