FA Cup LIVE! Manchester City vs Salford City - Fourth Round Clash at Etihad

Manchester City hosted League Two side Salford City in the FA Cup fourth round at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, February 14, 2026, kicking off at 3:00 PM UTC. This rematch follows City's dominant 8-0 victory over Salford in last season's third round.[1]

Premier League champions City, stepping away from their title race, were heavy favorites. They boast an impeccable record, winning their last 20 FA Cup games against non-Premier League teams, scoring 82 goals, including 11 straight home wins by a 59-5 aggregate.[1] Pep Guardiola rested Erling Haaland, sidelined by niggles from midweek, opting for a rotated squad led by Omar Marmoush up front.[1]

Early lineups featured City's James Trafford in goal; defenders Rayan Aït-Nouri, Max Alleyne, Bekobod Khusanov, Rico Lewis; midfielders Tijjani Reijnders, John Stones, Nico González; and attackers Rayan Cherki, Marmoush, Phil Foden. Lewis, a top scorer with two goals in the prior round, started.[2][8][9]

The match began tentatively, with 0-0 at early stages like the 3rd minute.[2] By the 131st minute snippet, an Alfie Dorrington own goal at 6' put City 1-0 up, amid blocked shots from Cherki (30') and González, plus corners.[9] Live updates showed intense pressure, with Sky Sports reporting a crisp, dry afternoon.[10][11]

Predictions favored a 4-0 City win, expecting dominance despite rotations. Salford aimed to fight harder than last year but faced overwhelming quality.[1][4] Key moments included Cherki's blocked effort and City's momentum-building attacks. As the game progressed past halftime, City sought a comfortable advancement to the fifth round for an 11th straight year.[1]

Elsewhere, Mansfield stunned Burnley, but all eyes were on City's routine progression in this David vs. Goliath tie.[1][9]