James McAtee scored a hat-trick for Man City. (Image: Getty)
Manchester City advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with an emphatic 8-0 demolition of Salford City in what turned out to be a (mis)grudge match at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Pep Guardiola's side produced a professional display to heat up the sub-zero stadium and humiliate the League Two promotion contenders.
Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt were the Class of 92 representatives on enemy grounds, but there was no sign of Gary Neville. Ryan Giggs, also co-owner, continued his unique role as assistant coach on the bench.
Jeremy Doku, Divin Mubama, Nico O'Reilly, Jack Grealish and James McAtee scored the goals to guide City to a third consecutive victory in all competitions.
Man City vs Salford player ratings
Ederson – 6
Unsurprisingly, it hasn't been tested.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey – 7
I enjoyed his return to Guardiola's starting XI. Produced an accurate long ball in the build-up to Doku's opener and almost doubled the lead, only to be denied on the goal line.
Nathan Ake – 6
Didn't look fully fit in a comfortable outing for City's back three and was replaced by Manuel Akanji at half-time.
Nico O'Reilly – 8
A dream evening's work. He showed pace, power and confidence with the ball and completed his offering with his first professional goal.
Jeremy Doku was unleashed against Salford. (Image: Getty)
Mathéus Nunes – 7
He has continued to look better out wide than in midfield since joining City. Provided assistance for Mubama's tap-in.
James McAtee – 9
Hat-trick hero. This could easily be a 10, in all honesty, but he wasn't as involved in the first half.
Guardiola needs to use him more in the second half of the season and surely recognizes his continued snubs as a mistake. It rarely seems out of place in this City team. He scored his first goal very well.
Ilkay Gundogan – 7
Haven't had a good time since returning to Manchester but had a comfortable night.
Jack Grealish – 8
Creative display. Had not scored a goal since December 16, 2023, before adding a fourth from the penalty spot. He never gave the ball to the “young boy” as Danny Murphy suggested in the BBC commentary.
Savinho – 5
He took a few shots, but the £31 million summer signing looked far inferior to his wing counterpart, Doku.
Jeremy Doku – 10
Two goals, two assists, most chances created, most dribbles completed and 100% passing accuracy. Player of the match.
It's easy to focus on the opposition, but it was a perfect display. Salford could not contain his pace and power with the ball at his feet, and he displayed a relentless creativity that has often been in short supply since his arrival.
Divine Mubama – 7
A rewarding first start at City for the 20-year-old. It was impossible to miss the open goal that Nunes had given him.
Substitutes
Akanji Manual – 6
One of the most comfortable 45 minutes of football he's ever had.
Phil Foden – 7
Played 35 minutes, created two chances and had an assist.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
Standard procedure.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1999230/Man-City-player-ratings-vs-Salford-Pep-Guardiola-FA-Cup