-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
Manchester City romped to their biggest win in six years with an 8-0 thrashing of Salford City in the FA Cup.
After two months of struggle, the Etihad celebrated at the expense of their League Two neighbours in a performance that saw youth blend brilliantly with experience. Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes put in one of their best displays of the campaign to take the game away from Salford City, and Divin Mubama and Nico O’Reilly scored their first goals for the club.
James McAtee bagged a second-half hat-trick as City raced through the gears, although they did fall short of the crowd wishes for ten. Here is how the players were marked for their efforts.
Ederson: Very little to do but came out importantly early on to clear when City were put under pressure. 7
Nunes: A brilliant comeback from the derby, showing energy, determination and quality to have a big hand in most of City’s goals. 9
O’Reilly: A real talent when a No.10 can look this good playing from left-back. As barnstorming a game as Josko Gvardiol puts in. 8
Simpson-Pusey: Route One at its best for the opening goal. He will feel he could have scored himself but a much happier return to the team. 7
Ake: Job done as Ake came out again for the team and then went for some well-earned rest in the second half. 7
Gundogan: More control of the midfield than he has enjoyed recently and looked to enjoy pushing up to his more natural position. 7
McAtee: Quiet in the first half but enjoyed himself as the spaces opened up in the second half and three well-taken goals. 9
Grealish: Set up Doku early on and converted the penalty he won to end his miserable goal drought. 7
Doku: The best player. Two goals, two assists and a menace all game in a welcome performance that puts him back into contention for the big games coming up. 9
Savinho: Short and sweet, helping City to overwhelm the Salford defence before coming off early in the second half. 7
Mubama: Scored on his debut with a run that Haaland couldn’t have bettered and he did everything asked of him. 7
Substitutes
Akanji (for Ake, 46) Strolled his way through the second half as City ran riot. 7
Foden (for Savinho, 55) Didn’t get going immediately but when he did Salford couldn’t stop him. 7
Kovacic (for Doku, 74) Enabled Gundogan to push up. 6
Not used: Ortega, Lewis, Gvardiol, Silva, De Bruyne, Haaland