February 14, (THEWILL) — Manchester City advanced to the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-0 victory over Salford City at the Etihad Stadium, though Pep Guardiola’s side were made to work far harder than their 8-0 demolition of the same opponents a year earlier might have suggested. Marc Guehi scored his first goal for the club after coming off the bench, sealing a contest that proved far more competitive than City’s recent 10-1 thrashing of Exeter City in the third round.
The hosts took the lead after just six minutes when Rayan Ait-Nouri delivered a low ball across the box that Alfie Dorrington turned into his own goal. However, Karl Robinson’s sixth-placed League Two side refused to capitulate, and City suffered a blow when centre-back Max Alleyne had to leave the pitch injured before half-time.
City thought they had doubled their advantage when Omar Marmoush volleyed brilliantly into the top-left corner, but the flag went up for offside. Replays clearly showed the Egyptian forward was onside, yet without VAR in operation until the fifth round, the goal was ruled out. Salford then threatened an equaliser before the break, with James Trafford denying Ben Woodburn’s effort and Brandon Cooper heading wide from an unmarked position.
The visitors continued to press after the interval, with Kelly N’Mai forcing Trafford into action at his near post. City finally eased the tension in the 81st minute when a rapid free-kick sent Rayan Cherki racing to the byline, and after Matt Young parried his cross-shot, Guehi tapped into an empty net. The defender had replaced John Stones 16 minutes earlier.
Substitute Antoine Semenyo struck the far post late on, but City could not extend their winning margin. The result sees Guardiola’s team progress, albeit with a performance that lacked the ruthlessness displayed in previous rounds this season.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
