Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images
Manchester City advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over League Two team Salford on Saturday.
Last season, Pep Guardiola’s team overwhelmed Salford with an 8-0 win, but this time they relied on an early own goal by Alfie Dorrington and a late strike from Marc Guéhi to secure the win at the Etihad Stadium.
City, making nine changes to their lineup, did not perform at their peak but managed to control the game.
The own goal in the sixth minute diminished the contest’s excitement, allowing City to coast through much of the match.
This led to Salford gaining confidence, with former Liverpool player Ben Woodburn forcing a significant save from James Trafford before halftime.
Nonetheless, City maintained a safe distance from the visitors, who count former Manchester United stars Gary Neville and David Beckham among their owners.
Guehi, who came off the bench, eliminated any chance for a Salford upset by netting a rebound for his first goal for the club just nine minutes before full time. Another substitute, Antoine Semenyo, struck the post in the dying moments.
Although the match lacked excitement until that point, City now has a week to reset before continuing their Premier League title campaign, which will please Guardiola.
Notably, top scorer Erling Haaland and captain Bernardo Silva rested entirely as City managers rotated their squad.
Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images
Despite the differing lineups, Salford must have been nervous when Dorrington inadvertently sent Rayan Aït-Nouri‘s low cross into his own net.
City faced a setback when Max Alleyne, starting as right-back, had to leave the game after 22 minutes due to an injury following a collision with Josh Austerfield.
City continued to press forward, with Omar Marmoush striking a shot into the net’s roof, only for it to be ruled offside.
Salford held their ground and posed threats towards the end of the first half, as Woodburn, who was once Liverpool‘s youngest goalscorer, forced Trafford to make a save from the edge of the area. Brandon Cooper also narrowly missed high with a header.
Phil Foden had a shot blocked early in the second half as Salford’s confidence grew the longer the match remained 1-0.
John Stones made a crucial clearance of a dangerous low cross by Kelly Nmai, who also challenged Trafford at his near post with a powerful shot.
The dynamic shifted when Guardiola made attacking substitutions, bringing on Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly, with Guehi also replacing Stones.
Guehi quickly made his impact felt, scoring by tapping in after Matt Young parried a cross from Rayan Cherki. Semenyo nearly added another goal as he struck the post in the final moments as City pressed for more.