Jack Grealish ends goal drought as Man City registers stunning win over Salford

James McAtee scored a hat-trick in the second half, and Jack Grealish scored his first goal in more than a year as Manchester City defeated League Two Salford in the FA Cup in their greatest victory since January 2019. After being fouled, Grealish scored the penalty kick in the 49th minute. He then joked with regular penalty taker Erling Haaland, who was benched since manager Pep Guardiola had decided to bench several big players for the third-round match. 

The England player has battled for form since his last goal on December 16, 2023, against Crystal Palace. Twenty minutes after City was given another penalty, Grealish turned the reins over to Jeremy Doku. Additionally, the Belgian was effective in starting what would end up being a lopsided first encounter between City and a Salford team owned by the renowned "Class of 92."

FULL-TIME | In the hat 🎩

🩵 8-0 🔴 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/uVvzcCGHIs

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 11, 2025

On his debut, young striker Divin Mubama scored when the former West Ham FA Youth Cup winner knocked home a clever low cross from Matheus Nunes. Nico O'Reilly also scored his first goal for City when he blasted a low drive into the far corner after Doku cut back. However, McAtee, who was curiously ignored by Guardiola for extended periods of the season despite City's dismal performance, quickly assumed the lead. Phil Foden and Jack Grealish set up the England Under-21 player, who took advantage of Doku's approach work for his first goal after 62 minutes and grabbed the match ball inside 19 minutes.

Manchester City goes to next round in FA Cup

Guardiola benched several of his best players, but Kyle Walker was not one of them. Prior to the game, the City manager clarified that the choice had been made strategically. There is serious doubt over Walker's future in a squad, though, given that Nunes and O'Reilly were selected to fill the full-back positions in a squad with only two conventional defenders.

The decisive triumph guaranteed the Blues three straight victories in the first-ever encounter between the teams, who were separated by only four and a half miles. Manchester City advances us to Sunday's draw, which will occur after Arsenal and Manchester United's match is over.