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Manchester City 4-1 Port Vale: Into the next round

ByJ.C. Gonzalez|
PRESTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Manchester City (L) celebrates with David Silva of Manchester City after their team's third goal, an own goal by Ryan Ledson of Preston North End (not pictured) during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Preston North Endand Manchester City at Deepdale on September 24, 2019 in Preston, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
PRESTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Manchester City (L) celebrates with David Silva of Manchester City after their team's third goal, an own goal by Ryan Ledson of Preston North End (not pictured) during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Preston North Endand Manchester City at Deepdale on September 24, 2019 in Preston, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Manchester City opened their FA Cup title defense on the right foot with a 4-1 home win over Port Vale in the Third Round.

A rotated but still talented Manchester City squad managed a 4-1 victory over League Two opposition Port Vale to open their FA Cup title defense.

City dominated possession of the ball while Port Vale, who currently sit 10th in League Two, defended admirably in numbers for much of the match. City created a multitude of chances, but the breakthrough came from Oleksander Zinchenko, granted the start in midfield, whose long-range strike was deflected in.

15 minutes later, however, the visitors turned the script on its head as a counter-attack on nearly the first time Port Vale had entered the City half resulted in a headed equalizer from Tom Pope. City responded well from there, controversially taking the lead back through Sergio Agüero, due to questions of whether or not Phil Foden, who provided the assist, was offside.

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VAR confirmed the initial goal decision for the holders, and helped further when youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis deflected a John Stones shot into the net. Although Harwood-Bellis appeared offside, VAR reversed the decision and gave the goal before Foden would grab the fourth.

Overall it was a calm and collected display from City, although there were moments where City appeared fortunate. It was a rotated side, with key players such as Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling not playing a role. However, it was a good opportunity for players such as David Silva and Zinchenko, who are returning to match fitness from injury to gain rhythm, and a good way to start off what could be another deep FA Cup run for the Citizens.