Manchester City advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup when James McAtee scored a hat-trick in an 8-0 thrashing of League Two side Salford City at the Etihad Stadium.
Jeremy Doku weighed in with two goals, while Jack Grealish ended a long scoring run and youngsters Divin Mubama and Nico O’Reilly also scored in a one-sided clash at the Etihad Stadium.
It was a brutal display from a much-changed City, whose fans enjoyed thrashing the ‘Class of 92’-owned visitors.
A night to forget for Neville in the rival home
Gary Neville, one of that group of famous former Manchester United players, was mocked mercilessly as the goals flew.
The England full-back turned pundit and businessman wasn’t actually there to witness the defeat, but colleagues Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes were there to see it unfold in excruciating detail from the stands.
Ryan Giggs, the sporting director who also has a background role, was also close in the technical area as the biggest game in Salford’s history quickly went sour.
City made nine changes to the team that beat West Ham last weekend and took the opportunity to give 20-year-old Mubama his debut and give further experience to 19-year-old O’Reilly and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
Simpson-Pusey was one of only two specialist defenders in the side, along with the experienced Nathan Ake, but, with a quality bench, Pep Guardiola had plenty of insurance if things went wrong.
However, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden needed only to watch as City quickly took control.
The hosts took the lead after just eight minutes after Matheus Nunes took possession and set up Grealish, who played the ball across goal for Doku to clean past Matty Young from a tight angle.
The second came after 20 minutes when Savinho played in Nunes and pulled back for Mubama to slide in for a simple finish.
Salford had chances to hit back as City eased the pressure, Kylian Kouassi firing at Ederson after a good run and later missing a shot from Hakeeb Adelakun’s excellent cross.
Kevin Berkoe also had a try but City simply went up through the gears in response.
Doku made his way to the line and O’Reilly firmly slotted home his first senior goal before the break.
Grealish, without a goal in club football since December 2023, got back on the scoresheet four minutes after the break.
The England international might have scored from open play after Mubama raced onto a poor backpass to set him up, but he made no mistake from the spot after being brought down by Ossama Ashley.
City’s fifth goal came with a flowing move shortly after Nunes released Doku, McAtee bringing in his first-time cross expertly.
Things quickly started to get out of hand for Salford, who conceded a second penalty when Doku’s shot hit the arm of captain Curtis Tilt.
Doku this time sent Young the wrong way, and the keeper was beaten again when substitute Foden’s ball was well controlled by McAtee.
McAtee completed his treble nine minutes from time when he turned in Grealish’s cross.
Man of the Match – James McAtee
Man City hat-trick hero James McAtee told the BBC: “I was quite frustrated in the first half, I didn’t see much of the ball. When the first one came in, my confidence went up and I kept scoring.
“I’ve been here since I was 10 and it’s a special moment for me. Something I’ll remember forever. I don’t think I needed to prove myself, but to go out there and show people what I can do, it’s a good moment for me.”
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