FA Cup: Manchester City Dominate Salford 8-0, Liverpool Advance to Round 4

Manchester City cruised past fourth-tier Salford City with an 8-0 thrashing in the FA Cup third round at the Etihad on Saturday. Liverpool also advanced with a convincing 4-0 victory over Accrington Stanley at Anfield.

Co-owned by former Manchester United legends Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes, Salford were no match for a dominant Manchester City side despite their recent form. A heavily rotated City line-up displayed no complacency, dismantling the League Two team with clinical finishing and fluid attacking play.

Divin Mubama scored on his senior debut, Jack Grealish ended his year-long goal drought with a penalty, and James McAtee secured a second-half hat-trick in a dominant performance by Pep Guardiola’s team.

City took just eight minutes to score the opening goal. Jeremy Doku’s direct run and precise pass set up Jack Grealish, who cut the ball back for the Belgian to finish off the post and into the net.

Divin Mubama made it 2-0 with an easy tap-in after another assist from Doku. Just before halftime, Nico O’Reilly added a third, controlling Doku’s pass and scoring his first goal for the club.

In the 49th minute, Grealish won a penalty and converted it himself to get on the scoresheet. The goals kept coming as James McAtee scored a quick hat-trick—two from open play and one from the penalty spot after Doku was fouled in the box.

With the game already decided, City comfortably secured a record-breaking scoreline, with Jeremy Doku adding a late penalty to deepen Salford’s misery.

Salford, aiming to climb the English football pyramid, struggled against City’s fast and skilful attack. The club’s famous co-owners, including Giggs, Butt, and Scholes, watched from the director’s box. Giggs, serving as the club’s football director, was also active in the technical area.

Guardiola made nine changes to the team that won against West Ham United last weekend, but he kept his key players on the bench in case of any problems. However, there was never much risk, as City quickly took control from the start.