Swindon Town vs Manchester City - Football Match Report
Premier League leaders Manchester City made light work of fourth-tier Swindon Town in a 4-1 victory in the opening salvo of a busy weekend of FA Cup third-round action on Friday.
Their hopes of a famous upset at a full home at the County Ground were crushed within the opening half-hour as a strong City side hit twice through Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus.
Swindon, who has fallen on hard times since a brief membership of the Premier League in 1993–94, stuck to his guns but was eventually toppled by City's slickers.
City, 72 places above their hosts on the English football ladder, were penalized for trying to play Swindon when teenager Cole Palmer passed Silva to tap home and were gifted a second in the 28th minute. After leaving, Jesus was converted from Kevin De Bruyne. out from behind.
Ilke Gundogan made it 3-0 in the 59th minute with a pinpoint free kick, and Jesus was saved shortly after by Swindon keeper Lewis Ward.
If Ward's defense drew a huge cheer from the 15,000 crowd, the decibel level went through the roof, with only 10 minutes left on the clock as Swindon striker Harry McKirdy hit a well-taken consolation goal.
City, without manager Pep Guardiola in the presence of the COVID-19 but with seven starting line-ups from their win at Arsenal on New Year's Day, ensured there were no late plays as Palmer topped the top with a surprising left. Picked the corner - Shoe shot from an acute angle.
Like Arsenal, City had many players unavailable due to the Covid infection, but their starting line-up was still filled with international quality.
It was Academy product Palmer who stole the limelight with a dazzling performance, including a mesmerizing dribble down the right to set up Silva for the opener.
"We have trained him on a daily basis and he has great quality, everyone can see it," Guardiola's assistant Rodolfo Borrell told ITV Sport.
"He's a great player, a lot of talent there and hopefully soon he can start playing more minutes with us like Phil Foden did a few years ago."
For Swindon, playing their first FA Cup third round tie for a decade, it was a special night, even if the result was not what they expected.
Early last year they were in danger of bankruptcy and were relegated from League One and struggling to pay their staff before the start of the season.
But under manager Ben Garner, he has impressed this season with a charming possession-based style.
He remained true to his principles but was not the one to beat Manchester City in his own game.
Garner said, 'The players there are a great experience for him. "Hopefully there are some who will go ahead and play in the Premier League. I think they will."
