The Citizens were without their manager Pep Guardiola for an FA Cup Third Round tie against Swindon Town, which they nonetheless won 4-1. Cole Palmer starred for City, while Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo Silva, and Ilkay Gundogan also scored.
Manchester City named a strong line-up for their Third Round FA Cup tie against Swindon Town despite the touchline absence of their manager Guardiola, who, prior to the match, had tested positive for the coronavirus-19. Cole Palmer started in a team full of Premier League stars, but it was the youngster who shone the brightest, providing an early assist and capping the scoring off with a well-taken goal.
Palmer laid the ball on a plate for Bernardo Silva in the 14th minute for the opening goal of the game after turning his marker inside out on the right flank. City were 1-0 up shortly before the half-hour mark, thanks to their high press, which forced a turnover close to the Swindon penalty box. The ball broke to Kevin De Bruyne from the press, and he played in Gabriel Jesus for a simple finish.
Ilkay Gundogan scored City’s third on the other side of the break with a stunning free-kick. The German hit the ball hard, low, and around the wall and beat goalkeeper Lewis Moore Ward despite his best efforts.
The Premier League champions were awarded a penalty in the 60th minute for a foul on Jesus. However, Ward came out on top during this exchange as he dove down to his right to make a fine stop from the Brazilian.
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Harry McKirdy pulled a goal back for Swindon in the 78th minute, beating reserve goalkeeper Zack Steffen with a near-post shot. But, City restored their three-goal lead four minutes later through Palmer, who scored a sensational goal from the right side of the box.
The youngster, from a tight angle, opened his body and curled the ball into the far top corner. City now await to learn their opponents for the Fourth Round, with all the other Premier League sides on cup duty this weekend.
