Manchester City Demolish Rotherham United 7:0 in FA Cup

Pep Guardiola decided to show both Rotherham United and the FA Cup maximum respect today by naming a very strong side and as a result saw his Manchester City side surge into the next round.

Whether it was the fresh memory of being knocked out last season by our FA Cup bogey side – Wigan – or a renewed determination to obliterate all comers, City started with a team which was much stronger than any fans had predicted. Consequently this was a game where we seldom needed to hit the highest gears and still raced to our biggest win under Pep.

Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden started in central midfield, just in front of Ilkay Gundogan and from the kick off the trio whirred and clicked. De Bruyne is still just getting up to speed but today he showed flashes of brilliance. His passing was beginning to be a joy again as his trademark vision came into play.

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In fact the manner of this victory was so assured, there were a couple of times it almost seemed cruel. It was like watching one of those wildlife programmes where a pride of lions toy with a baby antelope, slowly stopping it escaping before devouring it. At one point, when City were already in an unassailable lead they took off Raheem Sterling. And brought on Leroy Sane.

It was not that Rotherham were woeful. They worked hard and tried to hold their positions on the pitch when City were dragging them all over the place. It was just that there was a gulf apparent in class. It was class on the ball, and off. City were all blurred movement and control and from the off Rotherham were chasing shadows and worried about the total score and what their families might say.

Sterling opened the scoring simply putting on the after burners, leaving Rotherham for dead. He did this several times in the match before he was withdrawn and they simply had no answer. There was a spell after the first goal where City failed to convert their chances with Jesus being the chief culprit but this situation was rectified just before the break. Phil Foden received a fantastic pass and the ball bounced into the net off his knee. His delight was matched by the City fans.

In injury time at the end of the first half City got their 3rd goal, from a Kyle Walker cross that was turned into their own net with Sterling lurking. Jesus added a 4th after half time, Mahrez slotted in a 5th with a crisp shot. There was still time for Nicolas Otamendi to score a header from a corner and Sane to net the 7th.

The return of a free scoring City as we approach a busy part of the season is a welcome bonus for the fans. Whilst hoping we attain some silverware to cap our season, let us continue to enjoy the ride.