Jack Grealish has lastly ended his 13-month lengthy anticipate a primary Manchester Metropolis aim within the membership’s 8-0 mauling over Salford Metropolis.
It’s the first time that Metropolis have scored no less than eight targets in an FA Cup tie since their 9-0 win towards Gateshead in January 1933.
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In a recreation which noticed James McAtee hearth in a hat-trick, with Jeremy Doku additionally bagging a brace, it was Grealish who pulled the strings on the Etihad on Saturday.
The 29-year-old has come underneath big stick from followers and pundits having gone the whole thing of final yr with discovering the again of the online.
It was solely earlier within the week that talkSPORT co-host Ally McCoist declared that the participant is ‘completed’ underneath Pep Guardiola.
However after 392 days of ready and a run stretching 38 video games, the England worldwide is lastly again on the rating sheet for the Residents.
Grealish was on track from the penalty spot in Metropolis’s demolition of native rivals Salford.
Guardiola’s males had one foot within the fourth spherical by half-time due to first half targets from Doku, who Grealish assisted, in addition to Fvin Mubama and Nico O’Reilly.
And simply 4 minutes into the second interval, Grealish’s persistence was lastly rewarded.
The ex-Aston Villa skipper was introduced down within the field by Ossama Ashley with the aim gaping, earlier than then stepping as much as take the spot-kick himself.
Making no mistake from 12 yards out, Grealish tucked house his effort into the underside left nook – sending goalkeeper Matty Younger the improper manner.
It was his first aim since Metropolis’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on December 16, 2023.
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Simply 13 minutes later and it was 5-0, with McAtee getting in on the rout.
Doku then grabbed his second of the match within the 69th minute, with the Belgian being handed penalty duties by Grealish.
Three minutes after Doku introduced up his double, McAtee poked house his second from shut vary.
And he then accomplished his hat-trick within the 81st minute after being picked out by Grealish.
In doing so, McAtee has turn out to be the primary Englishman for Metropolis since Robbie Fowler in January 2006 to attain an FA Cup treble.
In the meantime, Grealish’s three aim involvements within the recreation are greater than he managed all season [two] heading into the third spherical tie.
Extra to observe…