What’s there not to love? The oldest still running football competition in the world; packed stands with thousands of devoted supporters; top-notch side against a fourth-tier slot and 90 minutes of a physical game between one of the world’s best teams and die-hard underdogs.Of course, Manchester City won 4-1 at Swindon Town, but the hosts have absolutely nothing to be ashamed about.The League Two outfit confronted mighty Premier League leaders in the best possible way, not trying to defend desperately but to step up with courage and determination not to surrender. And they managed that despite City’s landslide victory.Swindon Town goal and hustle of the crowd ..#SWIMCI pic.twitter.com/2KCyklrPL7— 🅩🅘🅩🅞🅤 (@zi_53) January 7, 2022 On the other hand, the visitors demonstrated what respect for the opponent truly is – Pep Guardiola, who missed the game due to a coronavirus, sent a squad packed with regulars to face the fourth-division side. Excluding maybe the offsprings Cole Palmer and Nathan Ake, City’s starting XI was composed solely of those top players such as De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus, etc.And they had to put on a massive effort to be able to win the game against the minnows.Palmer himself deserves the most credit for breaking the deadlock 14 minutes into the match. He dribbled marvellously on the right flank, crossed it sharply into the area and put the ball on a plate for Bernardo Silva, whose tap-in made it 1-0 for the guests.Cole Palmer is only 19 🌟(via @EmiratesFACup) pic.twitter.com/vp4vYTAGWC— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 7, 2022 Soon enough, they doubled the lead, following Swindon Town’s clumsy build-up. Gabriel Jesus got a hold of the ball near the box, exchanged passes with De Bruyne and then placed it smoothly behind the keeper.However, Swindon kept their spirits high despite trailing two by half-time. And three with 30 minutes left on the clock.Gundogan scored superbly from a free kick and swept of any dilemma about the winner.#FACup Swindon Town 0-3 Man City | GOAL! Gundogan. pic.twitter.com/rqTMmYLuhz— Fast Goals (@IFAST29) January 7, 2022 Still, the home team was able to bounce back and did it fantastically through a counter-attack 18 minutes later. McKirdy stole the ball in the midfield, launched an action, and nailed it in the near bottom corner for 1-3 and the crowd’s ecstatic reaction.The game was sealed with Palmer’s second goal. He and Bernardo Silva paired up again on the right flank, only this time Silva’s shot was blocked, and Palmer picked up the ball before smashing it just beneath the far post.
City could have score five, but Gabriel Jesus failed to score from the spot in the second period.FA CUP – Third RoundFridaySwindon Town – Manchester City 1-4 (0-2)/McKidrey 78 – Silva 14, Jesus 28, Gundogan 59, Palmer 82/Saturday15.15: (5.50) Mansfield (3.80) Middlesbrou. (1.65)15.30: (1.75) Burnley (3.60) Huddersfield (4.90)15.30: (4.90) Hartlepool (3.60) Blackpool (1.75)15.30: (1.93) Coventry (3.45) Derby (4.10)15.30: (4.60) Bristol City (3.60) Fulham (1.80)15.45: (3.45) Millwall (3.25) Crystal Palace (2.20)18.00: (3.60) Boreham Wood (3.45) Wimbledon (2.05)18.00: (5.50) Kidderminster (3.80) Reading (1.65)18.00: (1.63) Leicester (3.80) Watford (5.70)18.00: (1.30) Newcastle (5.20) Cambridge (11.0)18.00: (3.15) WBA (3.30) Brighton (2.30)18.00: (8.50) Port Vale (4.50) Brentford (1.40)18.00: (1.97) QPR (3.45) Rotherham (3.90)18.00: (2.95) Wigan (3.25) Blackburn (2.45)18.00: (1.40) Peterborough (4.50) Bristol Rovers (8.50)18.00: (1.50) Barnsley (4.20) Barrow (6.75)20.30: (3.60) Hull (3.45) Everton (2.05)20.30: (1.05) Chelsea (14.0) Chesterfield (35.0)20.30: (2.00) Birmingham (3.45) Plymouth (3.80)20.30: (3.35) Swansea (3.35) Southampton (2.20)20.45: (8.50) Yeovil (4.50) Bournemouth (1.40)Sunday15.30: (1.40) Luton (4.50) Harrogate T. (8.50)17.00: (2.35) Cardiff (3.25) Preston (3.10)17.00: (4.20) Charlton (3.50) Norwich (1.90)17.00: (1.37) Stoke (4.70) Leyton (9.00)17.00: (1.08) Tottenham (12.0) Morecambe (23.0)17.00: (1.23) Liverpool (7.00) Shrewsbury (10.5)17.00: (1.70) Wolverhampton (3.70) Sheffield Utd (5.20)17.00: (1.87) West Ham (3.50) Leeds (4.30)20.10: (5.50) Nott.Forest (3.80) Arsenal (1.65)Monday22.55: (1.68) Man.Utd. (3.70) Aston Villa (5.30)***odds are subject to change