Chelsea were among the other big winners with a 5-0 demolition of Morecambe. Brentford were the only Premier League side to fall to lower-league opposition as Plymouth, who sit bottom of the Championship, stunned the Bees 1-0 thanks to Morgan Whittaker's late winner.

League Two Salford have risen through the non-league ranks since investment from David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt began in 2014. Scholes, Butt and director of football Giggs were in attendance at the Etihad but were denied a night to rival their best during glorious playing careers at Old Trafford.

Pep Guardiola made wholesale changes as Erling Haaland was afforded a rest. Jeremy Doku opened the scoring after just eight minutes before youngsters Divin Mubama and Nico O'Reilly made it 3-0 before half-time. Jack Grealish scored his first City goal for over a year from the penalty spot, while Doku also netted from the spot.

But James McAtee, who had only scored once for City previously, earned man-of-the-match honours with a 20-minute second-half hat-trick. "I've been here since I was 10 and it's a special moment for me. Something I'll remember forever," said McAtee. Salford went into the game having claimed six consecutive clean sheets in their last six games but had conceded eight by the final whistle.

Brentford stung

Only Liverpool have taken more points at home than Brentford in the Premier League this season, while Plymouth had not won away from home all campaign. Yet against the odds Argyle, who sacked former England captain Wayne Rooney 12 days ago, held out and hit Thomas Frank's men with a sucker punch when Whittaker blasted in from outside the area nine minutes from time. "I have pride in everybody, and I'm pleased for the supporters. It's a big day for us," said caretaker Plymouth boss Kevin Nancekivell. "The FA Cup brings that romance and we've put a little bit of history in it today by getting the win."

High-flying Nottingham Forest continued their excellent season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Luton. Brighton were 4-0 winners at Norwich as Georginio Rutter struck twice. Bournemouth shrugged off the loss of strikers Evanilson and Enes Unal to long-term injuries this week to roar back from 1-0 down to hammer West Brom 5-1. Leicester went one better by hitting QPR for six in an eight-goal thriller at the King Power. Wolves' bright start under new boss Vitor Pereira continued as early goals from Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rodrigo Gomes secured a 2-1 win at Bristol City.

January 11, 2025

Divin Mubama

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