McAtee scores hat-trick in Manchester City's dominant FA Cup win over Salford

 McAtee scores hat-trick in Manchester City's dominant FA Cup win over Salford 

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Manchester City’s third consecutive win was made even sweeter by the fact that their opponents, Salford City, had deep ties to Manchester United. Salford, owned by the Class of '92—David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Phil and Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, and Paul Scholes—were always set to be easy prey. With 65 league places separating the two sides, Karl Robinson’s team was brushed aside with ease, as if the match were little more than a training exercise.

The victory was highlighted by a hat-trick from Salford-born James McAtee, along with Jack Grealish scoring his first goal in over a year and two goals from Jérémy Doku. The second of Doku’s goals came from the penalty spot after Curtis Tilt handled his shot in the 69th minute. McAtee’s second goal was a clinical finish from a precise Phil Foden cross into the box, while his third was a poacher’s effort from a Grealish delivery.

As the game neared its conclusion, jubilant supporters broke into the Poznan, a celebratory dance reserved for special moments.

After the match, Pep Guardiola showed a kind gesture by inviting Salford’s players into City’s dressing room. The manager downplayed the gesture, stating, “It’s happened before in the Cup. This was just to change shirts, it’s normal.”

Guardiola also spoke about McAtee, praising his performance: “He’s a special player. I’m happy he scored a hat-trick, but he can play better, especially in the first half. His work ethic is unbelievable, and he can play in the middle or out wide on both sides. I’m really pleased with how he played overall.”

City’s confidence needed a boost, and Doku’s early goal in the 10th minute provided just that. A mistake by Salford’s Ossama Ashley allowed Matheus Nunes to steal the ball near the halfway line. Nunes then surged forward, evading red shirts, and passed to Grealish, whose perfectly timed layoff to Doku led to a clinical finish. The ball ricocheted off the post, but Doku was there to make it count.