In Sunday’s FA Cup clash, Manchester City effortlessly secured a 5-0 victory over Huddersfield Town, underscoring their dominance in the competition. The Etihad Stadium witnessed a commanding performance from Pep Guardiola’s squad, setting a positive tone for the new year.
While Huddersfield displayed resilience in the initial twenty minutes, City’s supremacy became evident as Phil Foden broke the deadlock.
The second half saw Foden adding another goal, with Oscar Bobb’s pass deflecting in. Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku also contributed to City’s convincing win.
The anticipated outcome unfolded as City outclassed Huddersfield, with goalkeeper Stefan Ortega Moreno making only a few stops during the match.
The day proved highly beneficial for City, marked by five goals, a clean sheet, Foden’s stellar performance at number ten, standout displays from young players Oscar Bobb and Rico Lewis, and noteworthy comebacks from injuries by both Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne.
Despite these positives, a minor setback occurred when Manuel Akanji exited the game due to injury after just 20 minutes. The £15 million star’s departure prompted statisticians to highlight an intriguing fact – Akanji, in his brief appearance, completed more passes (27) than any other Huddersfield player, as reported by WhoScored.
While Akanji’s early exit raises concerns for City supporters, the statistic underscores the team’s absolute dominance in the match. Despite facing a Championship team, City’s professional performance in the FA Cup merits recognition, considering the unpredictable nature of the competition.
The hope lingers that Akanji’s injury is not severe. Despite occasional criticism this season, Pep Guardiola continues to value the Swiss international for his defensive versatility and occasional deployment in midfield.
Akanji’s early contribution in passing statistics further emphasizes City’s control over the game, reinforcing their commendable display in the FA Cup fixture.
