"Manchester City reached the fifth round of the FA Cup with a far-from-convincing 2-0 win over League Two side Salford on Saturday. Pep Guardiola's side thrashed their neighbours 8-0 last season but needed an early own goal from Alfie Dorrington and a late effort from Marc Guéhi to prevail on this occasion at the Etihad Stadium. Yet City, who made nine changes for the tie, did not need to be anywhere near their best."
"Dorrington's unfortunate sixth-minute intervention robbed the contest of a lot of its intensity and City effectively went through the motions thereafter. That did allow Salford to settle and former Liverpool midfielder Ben Woodburn forced a fine save from James Trafford before the interval. But City were always able to keep the visitors, who are part-owned by two former Manchester United players in Gary Neville and David Beckham, at arm's length."
"Guehi came off the bench to end any prospect of a Salford shock by pouncing on a rebound for his first goal for the club nine minutes from time. Fellow substitute Antoine Semenyo also hit the post in the closing minutes. Excitement may have been lacking until then but City now have a full week to rest before they resume their Premier League title challenge and Guardiola will be satisfied with the overall outcome."
Manchester City progressed to the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-0 victory over League Two Salford, thanks to an early own goal by Alfie Dorrington and a late strike by Marc Guéhi. City made nine changes and rotated the squad heavily, with Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva absent even from the bench. Salford settled after the early setback and produced chances, including a Ben Woodburn effort saved by James Trafford, while Max Alleyne was forced off injured and Omar Marmoush had a goal ruled out for offside. Substitute Antoine Semenyo hit the post, and City gain a full week to rest before resuming their Premier League title challenge.
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