Manchester City started their defence of their FA Cup title in emphatic style on Saturday evening with a resounding 4-1 win over League Two side Port Vale, thanks to goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Sergio Agüero, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Phil Foden.
FULL TIME | A dominant second half sees us through to the next round. Some great football on display today!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 4, 2020
4-1 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/IROKBYfQBU
The hosts got off to a flying start and were able to fashion a number of chances, with Foden coming the closest to scoring on a couple of occasions.
Manchester City eventually got themselves on the scoresheet as Oleksandr Zinchenko finished a marauding run with a speculative 25-year effort, which subsequently took a deflection off the outstretched boot of Leon Legge and past the hapless Brown.
In truth, the Citizens dominated possession without causing too much trouble for the visitors in the first-half, who themselves were resolute in their defence and were able to nullify City's advances - albeit by the skin of their teeth.
Against the odds and the run of play, the Valiants managed to grab an equaliser ten minutes before half time. The hard work was done by David Amoo after a rare foray forward on the right-hand side, beating Angeliño and delivering a pin-point cross into the box.
The second half started just as the first finished, with the home side dominating possession. Bernardo Silva had an excellent chance to give City a two-goal cushion, but was unable to direct his header into the back of the net following Agüero's cross.
An offside call nearly prevented 17-year-old Harwood-Bellis from scoring his first senior goal for Manchester City after being fortuitously found by John Stones following a 56th minute corner, luckily for the youngster, he was adjudged to have been onside.
Phil Foden rounded off proceedings with a well-taken finish past Scott Brown at the near post having been found by Angeliño in the 76th minute.
Manchester City
Key Talking Point
With Manchester City's defence of their Premier League title slowly but surely falling apart, Pep Guardiola would have wanted to make sure his side didn't falter in England's premier cup competition.
When the FA Cup campaign has begun... #ManCity pic.twitter.com/pDhegvAghn
— WeAreMCFC (@WeAreMCFC) January 4, 2020
The Sky Blues have been in dominant form since their shock defeat at the hands of Wolves a week ago, beating Sheffield United and Everton in the process, and continued their fine form against Port Vale on Saturday evening.
While City wasted a host of chances against the League Two side, Guardiola will no doubt be encouraged by the spirit that his side has shown in recent weeks. It has been a relatively inconsistent season for the Citizens, but with three trophies still to play for (Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup), the 2019/20 season is far from a failure.
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Bravo (6); Cancelo (7), Stones (7), Harwood-Bellis (7), Angeliño (6); Gündogan (7), David Silva (7), Foden (9*); Bernardo Silva (7), Zinchenko (6), Agüero (7)
Substitutes: Mahrez (6), Doyle (5)
Star Player - Phil Foden
Since being told by Guardiola that he is the most talented player the ex-Barcelona manager has coached, Foden seems to be a different animal each time he steps onto the pitch.
The 19-year-old was at the heart of City's attack against the Vale on Saturday and registered a fantastic volleyed-assist for Agüero's goal.
Had to be him! @PhilFoden absolutely unplayable today!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 4, 2020
⚽️ @EASPORTSFIFA pic.twitter.com/fm4sJiedkx
Foden been the best player on the pitch
— City Sky Blues (@CitySkyBlues) January 4, 2020
Foden is phenomenal even at just 19. He should be a regular starter.
— KDB™ (@BelgianKing17) January 4, 2020
The Manchester City academy graduate was pivotal in the build up for City's third goal having delivered a scintillating ball deep into the box, and managed to grab a goal for himself - slotting cooly past Scott Brown into the bottom corner of the net after being found by Angeliño.
Despite his attacking preferences, Foden did not shy away from the dirty work and worked hard to regain possession, tracking back and hounding the Vale players. A very mature display from the 19-year-old who will surely be in contention to start some of City's Premier League games in the near future.
Port Vale
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Brown (7*); Gibbons (5), Smith (5), Legge (6), Montano (5); Burgesss (5), Joyce (5), Taylor (5); Amoo (6), Worrall (5), Pope (6).
Substitutes: Conlon (5), Atkinson (6), Cullen (5).
Looking Ahead
Following on from their FA Cup third round win, Manchester City return to Carabao Cup action as they face rivals Manchester United in the semi-final at Old Trafford. The Sky Blues then return to Premier League action as they travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa five days later.
Meanwhile Port Vale travel to Moor Lane to face Salford City in the Football League Trophy, before taking on relegation candidates Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium in League Two.
Source : 90min