Man City 8-0 Salford: James McAtee nets hat-trick as Jack Grealish ends wait in FA Cup hammering
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James McAtee scored a hat-trick and Jack Grealish netted his first goal in more than a year as Manchester City thrashed Salford 8-0 in the FA Cup third round. The winger had not got on the scoresheet for City since December 2023 before this tie against League Two opposition, but he won and then converted a penalty shortly after half-time to end his long wait.
That spot-kick made it 4-0, with Pep Guardiola’s side already firmly in control by the break. Jeremy Doku curled the hosts into an early lead, before Divin Mubama tapped in from a couple of yards out on debut and Nico O'Reilly also got in on the fun.
Grealish’s penalty set the tone for the second-half inside four minutes and it became a question of just how ruthless City were feeling. There was little sign of them easing up, as James McAtee produced a smart finish at the near post and Doku then added his second of the night, rolling a penalty into the bottom corner after his shot had been charged down by the arm of Curtis Tilt.
Six became seven just a few minutes later, as Foden’s scuffed shot fell perfectly into the path of McAtee to take a touch and slot in to double his own tally. There was still plenty of time for him to seal the match ball and cap a perfect afternoon for the hosts, when Grealish played a low cross into the middle and McAtee slid in to complete a 19-minute hat-trick.
