Pep Guardiola says Man City far from best in cup rout but welcomes morale boost

Pep Guardiola felt Manchester City were still far from their best as they thrashed League Two Salford 8-0 in the FA Cup third round.

The City boss did acknowledge, however, that the result should further lift spirits after the club’s poor end to 2024.

James McAtee led the way with a second-half hat-trick as City powered through to the next round with a dominant display in a one-sided tie at the Etihad Stadium.

City’s victory was their third in succession in all competitions – the first time they have accomplished that feat since October.

Guardiola, whose side now face successive away games at Brentford, Ipswich and Paris St Germain, said: “It’s just a game, but we cannot deny that we need the victories. It’s the third in a row.

“Of course, we are far away and still we have a big, big problem behind, in the back four.

“But in the game everyone made incredible contributions and we scored a lot of goals. For a long time this didn’t happen. We need it for our mood and the people are happier.

“Now we have really tough games away in the next days. We keep going.”

Jeremy Doku weighed in with two goals while Jack Grealish got on the scoresheet for the first time in club football since December 2023.

Debutant Divin Mubama and fellow youngster Nico O’Reilly were the other scorers but the headlines were taken by McAtee, who scored his treble inside 19 second-half minutes.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who has impressed in separate loan spells with Sheffield United, is still to establish himself at City.

Guardiola was pleased for him, but will continue to demand more.

He said: “It’s not that I’m not that happy that he scores a hat-trick – that’s not easy – but he can play better. That was not his best.

“But he’s an exceptional guy and