Manchester City booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with an emphatic 5-0 win over Huddersfield Town.
Pep Guardiola’s side began the day as heavy favourites against Championship opposition but were made to work in the first half before Phil Foden broke the deadlock. Julian Alvarez turned in minutes later and the holders of the FA Cup were in cruise control.
Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku both returned from injury to warm receptions from the Etihad crowd and the pair combined to score the fifth goal in the second half. Here are how the players rated in the game.
Ortega: Made good saves on the few occasions when he needed to and distribution was fine. 7
Akanji: One of City’s brightest in his short time on the pitch, spraying a nice cross-field ball for Grealish and moving up the right flank. 7
Dias: Still a few too many errors glitching into his performance that Ortega tidied up, but he can be happy with the clean sheet. 6
Gvardiol: A rare outing in the middle and he looked more assured, helping to cover on the left with Gomez higher up. 7
Gomez: Playing a hybrid role half up the left flank, some of his passing wasn’t as soft as it needed to be but he got involved in the opposition box. 7
Kovacic: One of his best performances for a good while, controlling the midfield and breaking lines to make key passes. 8
Lewis: Oddly out of touch in the opposition box but settled into a more defensive role once Akanji went off. 7
Foden: Another dominant display where he took control and did not let go, hammering home the control with two goals. 9
Bobb: Shaky in the first half but greatly improved after the break, taking on his man and creating opportunities. 7
Grealish: Showed early intent by carrying the ball into the box but quiet after that and taken off early. 6
Alvarez: Another goal and an assist that means Guardiola will have no problem starting him at Newcastle if Haaland isn’t fit. 7
Substitutes
Nunes (for Akanji, 18) Still brings a bit too much chaos when City want control but he calmed down as the game progressed. 6
De Bruyne (for Alvarez, 57) Instantly involved in play and now has two assists for the season after picking out Doku. 7
Doku (for Grealish, 57) Another welcomed back by fans and took his goal very well. 7
