A match in the third round of the FA Cup saw Manchester City face off against Salford City at home. Manchester City has been facing a crisis this season, encountering significant challenges in both the league and the Champions League. After 20 league matches, City managed only 10 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses, ranking sixth and trailing Liverpool at the top by 12 points, with their title hopes nearly dashed. In the six group stage matches of the Champions League, City achieved just 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, narrowly avoiding elimination by a single point. This situation is unprecedented for Pep Guardiola, presenting him with a considerable challenge. However, City's form has recently improved, with consecutive victories over Leicester City and West Ham United, breaking out of their winless streak. Arriving at the FA Cup arena, City faced Salford City from League Two, a match they were determined to win. The result was a resounding victory, as City swept aside Salford City.
Guardiola lined up his team in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mubama leading the front line. The attacking duo of Savigny and Doku started together. Nunes, McCatty, Gundogan, and Grealish formed the midfield four. Pusil, Aké, and O'Reilly partnered in the back three. Ederson took his place as the starting goalkeeper. Haaland, De Bruyne, Foden, and Bernardo Silva were on standby on the bench.
The game quickly fell into City's rhythm, with them scoring in the ninth minute. Doku scored from the left side of the box, pushing the ball into the far corner. Shortly after, Mubama doubled the lead with a goal-line clearance. As the first half neared its end, O'Reilly scored from close range. City led 3-0 at halftime. In the second half, City played even more aggressively. Grealish converted a penalty, McCatty scored with a push, and Doku also scored from the spot. McCatty then scored two more goals to complete his hat-trick. The final score was an emphatic 8-0 victory for City, securing a rare three consecutive wins, their first such streak since late October last year.
This match marked the emergence of another genius at Manchester City, with 22-year-old McCatty scoring three goals. He was awarded the Man of the Match trophy. It was his first hat-trick in the first team. He is also the first English player to score a hat-trick for City in the FA Cup since 2006, following in the footsteps of Shaun Wright-Phillips. For Guardiola, it is essential to provide more opportunities for young talents within the squad to showcase themselves, not letting go of any geniuses easily, to avoid a repeat of the Palmer situation.