From ‘demoralising’ 8-0 defeat to pushing Man City all the way

Salford City arrived at Etihad Stadium with a certain amount of trepidation, the scars of last season’s 8-0 FA Cup defeat still fresh in the mind.

This time the League Two club left Manchester City’s home with their heads held high after going toe-to-toe with the club still hoping to pull off an unprecedented quadruple this season.

“It was demoralising last season, our confidence dipped,” Salford captain Luke Garbutt told BBC Sport after pushing their opponents all the way before losing 2-0.

“Today is a totally different feel.

“On another day we would’ve got a goal. To come away with 2-0 when it was 8-0 last season shows the club is on the rise.”

Salford, the club co-owned by Manchester United stars Gary Neville and David Beckham, were playing in the fourth round for the first time in their history.

And they were in the tie right up to the moment substitute Marc Guehi doubled the lead with his first Manchester City goal since a £20m move from Crystal Palace in the 81st minute.

Salford’s players stayed on the pitch a good five minutes after the full-time whistle to show their appreciation to their travelling fans.

“Why did you bring that up?” manager Karl Robinson joked in his post-match press conference, when a reporter mentioned last season’s eight-goal drubbing.

He must have feared his side were facing another hammering when Alfie Dorrington scored an own goal in the sixth minute.

The visitors, however, regrouped.

Not only did they prevent their opponents from registering an attempt on target before half-time, they twice went close to scoring themselves through Ben Woodburn and Brandon Cooper.

It was still only 1-0 when James Trafford denied Kelly N’Mai, before Guardiola sent on Antoine Semenyo, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri and Guehi, the latter eventually easing home nerves nine minutes from the end.

“It’s about us using this as a benchmark to move forward,” added Robinson, whose side sit sixth in the fourth tier of English football.

“We couldn’t do that last season. We have to get out of League Two.

“It was a fantastic defensive performance against one of the best teams in Europe.

“They had to bring on four of their best players in the last 20 minutes. We dust ourselves off and get ready for Tuesday [Newport County at home].”

Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown, who was at Etihad Stadium for BBC Sport, said Salford will learn from Saturday’s experience.

“For Salford to get to this stage they have done well,” he added.

“The test was there with this draw, but Robinson will have learned a lot about his players.”

Guardiola mentioned in his pre-match news conference how he “enjoys” playing FA Cup ties away from home against League One and League Two clubs.

“When you arrive at the stadium on the coach and all the fans sing ‘Who are ya?! Who are ya?!” added Guardiola.

On Saturday, Salford’s 3,900 fans inside Etihad Stadium made themselves heard as the visitors took the game to their Premier League opponents.

Afterwards, Guardiola labelled his side’s 41st game of the season “boring”.

“It has been tough but not just this two weeks, since November it’s been every three days and that’s a lot,” he added.

“The good news is we go through.

“We have to move the ball quick to the opposite side and we didn’t do it. That’s why it was boring.”