MANCHESTER CITY COMFORTABLY beat League Two Swindon 4-1 to book their place in the FA Cup fourth round.
Bernardo Silva struck first in the 14th minute to open the scoring before Gabriel Jesus capitalised on a defensive error just before the half-hour mark.
In the second half, City controlled the game and Ilkay Gundogan added to the score with a direct free-kick in the 59th minute as they finished with 78% of possession and 22 shots including eight on target.
Swindon’s Harry McKirdy scored a consolation goal but City added a fourth through Cole Palmer in the final 10 minutes.
There was doubt the tie would go ahead as City currently have 21 members of their “first-team bubble” isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, including manager Pep Guardiola and seven players.
However despite the absences, City named a strong starting XI as stand-in manager Rodolfo Borrell made just four changes from the club’s victory over Arsenal at the weekend.
In the first real chance of the game, Joao Cancelo played in Silva but the City forward fired over the bar.
City, after dominating the majority of the possession, took the lead in the 14th minute. Teenager Cole Palmer played the ball into the box and Silva timed his run perfectly to tap in from close range.
The visitors did not have to wait too long to double their lead, with Jesus firing past Lewis Ward just before the half-hour mark. Swindon were caught unsuccessfully trying to play the ball out from the back, with City winning the ball back before Kevin De Bruyne played in the City number nine to finish.
The home side looked to get forward at every opportunity to try and keep their FA Cup hopes alive, but City showed their superiority and class and were able to prevent any chances being created.
Gundogan, who was given the captain’s armband for the match, added City’s third in the 58th minute.
The visitors had been awarded a free-kick from outside the box which Gundogan curled around the wall and into the bottom corner to all but secure his side’s place in the fourth round.
Jesus missed a penalty shortly afterwards, a stuttering run-up and weak shot allowing Ward to save.
In the 78th minute, Swindon pulled a goal back, catching the Premier League champions on the break as McKirdy tucked away his fifth in two matches.
However, Manchester City restored their three-goal advantage almost immediately when Palmer picked up the rebound from Silva’s strike and fired one into the far left corner.
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The band is back together as Gavan Casey is joined by Bernard Jackman and Murray Kinsella for the first pod of the new year
A tad disappointed to see Eddie take the Cuala job. It’s a bit of a handy number really. I can understand his frustrations in Laois but this feels like a cop out. What he wouldn’t bring to a Carlow, Westmeath, Meath etc. It also saddens me to think that Cuala have the big bucks to throw at the big names and Eddie has probably been tempted by the €s.
@Johnny B: Tempted by €s? Is that such a bad thing? If he had taken over a county team with a few bob there would be purists implying he’s a mercenary too. He’s endured a tough time coping with the structures in Laois. Can’t blame him for joining a well run club with good players where he will probably do more for his reputation that spinning his wheels at a Carlie, Westmeath, Meath etc.
@Johnny B: I’m sure there is a bigger picture to look at here. Surely just a stepping stone into the Dublin hurling manager.
@EnKy: I don’t blame him either. Think he’s a real genuine hurling man. It’s just his attributes would be a real asset to a developing county. But you’re probably right = straight into the Dubs from here.
Would like to have seen Eddie in the Clare job. See how far he could actually bring them.
@Billy: would you not give Lohan a chance and try get the players missing this year back into the squad?
Best of luck to them,John was a fablous hurler ,thats some managment set up for a Club.
@Gerry Campbell: What about Ballaghaderreen baby?