McAtee hits hat-trick in Manchester City’s FA Cup demolition of Salford
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Manchester City reeled off a third win on the bounce and it was all the sweeter with their victims having such strong Manchester United connections. Salford City, owned by the Class of 92, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Phil and Gary Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, were always primed to be easy fall-guys and with 65 places between them and England’s champions, Karl Robinson’s men were cuffed aside as if in an exhibition.
![[Nico O’Reilly (second left) scores his first Manchester City goal to give them a 3-0 half-time lead.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/2ad59f56b220d9971f4c2a47253561e06a2b321b/539_344_4372_2623/master/4372.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The victory was decorated by (the Salford-born) James McAtee’s hat-trick and Jack Grealish’s first goal for more than a year, plus two from Jérémy Doku. His second was a 69th-minute penalty after his shot was handled by Curtis Tilt. McAtee completed his hat-trick with a sharp finish, after receiving Phil Foden’s drilled delivery inside Salford’s area, while his third was a predator’s stab from Grealish’s cross.
Towards the close, delirious supporters performed the Poznan in the stands, which is only outed for special moments. As City’s confidence is still hardly robust they welcomed Doku’s opener inside 10 minutes. Ossama Ashley was Salford’s culprit, a miscontrol allowing Matheus Nunes to pilfer the midfielder near halfway. From here, the Portuguese ran forward, scattering red shirts and his pass left to Grealish was as well timed as the No 10’s own shift of the ball the same way to Doku, whose first-time finish ricocheted off Matty Young’s left post.
