Manchester City Dominates Salford City 8-0 in the FA Cup Third Round

In a dominant display of football, Manchester City secured an emphatic 8-0 victory over Salford City in the third round of the 2025 FA Cup. The match, which took place on January 11, 2025, at the Etihad Stadium, left fans in awe as Pep Guardiola’s side showcased their superiority over the lower-league opponents. With a hat-trick from James McAtee and stunning performances from Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish, Manchester City proved their status as one of the most formidable sides in Europe.


A Comprehensive Win for Manchester City

From the outset, it was clear that Manchester City were the stronger side. Despite fielding a team with a mixture of first-team regulars and some younger players, Guardiola’s men were relentless, outclassing Salford City, who play in League Two.

The scoreline tells the story of the match—an 8-0 thrashing that showed the gulf in class between the two sides. Manchester City’s attack was scintillating, and Salford’s defense was completely overwhelmed by the relentless pressure.

James McAtee: The Star of the Show

James McAtee was undoubtedly the standout performer of the game. The young midfielder, who has been steadily impressing in the Manchester City setup, scored a brilliant hat-trick during the match. His performances have earned him rave reviews from fans and critics alike, and his clinical finishing on the night was a testament to his growing confidence and skill.

McAtee opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and by the end of the match, he had completed his hat-trick, much to the delight of the Etihad crowd. His precise positioning and calm finishing were on full display as he capitalized on the chances that came his way.

Jeremy Doku Shines Again

Jeremy Doku was another key figure in the win. The Belgian winger’s pace and creativity were too much for Salford’s defense to handle. Doku contributed two goals and two assists during the match. His link-up play with Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish was seamless, creating several scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Doku’s first goal came in the 20th minute, and his second was a well-taken strike in the 55th minute. The young winger has been in excellent form this season, and his performance in this game further cemented his status as one of Manchester City's brightest talents.

Jack Grealish and Others Make Their Mark

While McAtee and Doku were the headline-makers, the rest of the team also played a pivotal role in the victory. Jack Grealish, whose performances have been closely scrutinized, finally added a goal to his name. He scored a beautiful solo effort in the 38th minute, showcasing his dribbling ability and composure in front of goal.

Divin Mubama also got on the scoresheet with a well-executed strike in the 70th minute, while Nico O'Reilly completed the rout with a clinical finish in the 85th minute. The variety of scorers on the night demonstrates the depth of talent available at Manchester City.

Salford City’s Struggles

For Salford City, it was a difficult night. Playing against a team of Manchester City's caliber is always a daunting challenge, and despite their best efforts, they were unable to make an impact. The Salford defense, which has been solid in League Two, simply couldn’t cope with the pace and precision of Manchester City’s attack.

The match was an overwhelming reminder of the difference in quality between the lower leagues and the Premier League, and Salford’s focus will now shift to their league campaigns where they will aim for promotion. Their performance in the FA Cup has earned them respect, but it’s clear that Manchester City’s level is on a different plane altogether.

Post-Match Reactions

After the match, Pep Guardiola expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance, praising their professionalism and hunger despite the massive disparity in the opposition. Guardiola, known for his tactical brilliance, was especially pleased with the way his team controlled the game from start to finish.

“I am happy with the way the team approached the game,” said Guardiola. “We treated it like any other match. Salford played hard, but we were clinical, and the players showed great character.”

Meanwhile, Salford City’s manager, Gary Neville, admitted that the result was disappointing but also acknowledged the challenge of facing such a formidable opponent. He said, “We knew it was going to be tough, but we will learn from this. Playing against a team like Manchester City is a great experience for our players, and we’ll take the lessons from this game back into our league campaign.”

The Road Ahead

With this resounding victory, Manchester City progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup, where they will hope to continue their push for silverware in this prestigious competition. Their next challenge will be tougher, but given the form they are in, few would bet against them.

As for Salford City, while their FA Cup run has come to a heartbreaking end, they can be proud of their efforts and will look ahead to their League Two ambitions. The experience of facing a top-tier Premier League club like Manchester City will only help them as they continue their journey.

Conclusion

In the end, this was a match that perfectly illustrated the gulf in class between the Premier League giants and the lower-league minnows. Manchester City’s 8-0 victory over Salford City was clinical and dominant, with McAtee, Doku, Grealish, and others all contributing to the memorable win. Salford City, on the other hand, will learn from this experience and will undoubtedly bounce back stronger as they focus on their league campaign.

Manchester City fans will be looking forward to what’s next, while Salford City will continue their push for promotion in the hope of challenging at higher levels next season.

Watch the Highlights

For those who missed the action, you can catch the highlights of the match:

Manchester City 8-0 Salford City - FA Cup Highlights


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