Manchester City progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over League Two side Salford City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, February 14, 2026. While not a dominant performance reminiscent of their 8-0 victory over the same opponents last season, Pep Guardiola’s side secured the result thanks to an early own goal and a late strike from Marc Guehi, continuing their pursuit of a potential quadruple this season.
The match saw a heavily rotated City lineup, with several first-team regulars rested. Despite the changes, City took the lead in the sixth minute when Alfie Dorrington inadvertently turned a Rayan Ait-Nouri cross into his own net. Salford, co-owned by Manchester United legends Gary Neville and David Beckham, proved to be a resilient opponent, frustrating City for much of the match.
City’s second goal didn’t arrive until the 81st minute, when Marc Guehi capitalized on a rebound after a shot from Rayan Cherki was saved by Salford goalkeeper Matthew Young. This marked Guehi’s first goal for the club since joining in January. The victory ensures City’s continued participation in the FA Cup, a competition they will be eager to win.
Marc Guehi celebrates his first goal for Manchester City. (Image: Sky Sports)
Guehi’s First City Goal Seals Victory
Marc Guehi’s goal proved crucial in breaking down a stubborn Salford defense. The defender, who joined Manchester City last month, expressed his delight at finding the net for the first time, signaling a positive start to his career with the club. Sky Sports reported that Guardiola’s side didn’t demand to be at their best to secure the win.
Salford, despite being outmatched in terms of squad quality, put up a spirited performance, forcing James Trafford into a fine save before halftime. Former Liverpool midfielder Ben Woodburn was particularly threatening for the visitors. However, City’s overall quality and tactical flexibility ultimately proved too much for the League Two outfit.
West Ham and Other Teams As well Advance
Manchester City weren’t the only Premier League side to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday. Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham United defeated Burton Albion 1-0 in extra time, with Crysencio Summerville scoring the winning goal in the 95th minute. West Ham’s victory came despite playing the final twenty minutes with ten men after Freddie Potts was sent off. The Guardian noted Guardiola’s description of the win as “boring,” highlighting the team’s somewhat lackluster performance.
Chelsea and Wrexham also secured their passage to the next round on Friday, defeating Hull City and Burton Albion respectively. These results set the stage for an intriguing fifth round draw, with several top-flight teams still in contention.
Job done for Guardiola’s Manchester City who move on to far bigger tests in their pursuit of four trophies. But this was a tricky afternoon, make no mistake….
— The Athletic FC (@TheAthleticFC) February 14, 2026
What’s Next for Manchester City?
Manchester City will now await the draw for the FA Cup fifth round, which will determine their next opponent in the competition. Guardiola will likely rotate his squad again for the next match, balancing the demands of multiple competitions. The team will be looking to build on this victory and maintain their momentum as they continue to compete on all fronts. The focus will undoubtedly shift back to the Premier League and Champions League as City aim to add more silverware to their trophy cabinet.
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