Jack Grealish has finally ended his 13-month long wait for a first Manchester City goal in the club’s 8-0 mauling over Salford City.
It is the first time that City have scored at least eight goals in an FA Cup tie since their 9-0 win against Gateshead in January 1933.
In a game which saw James McAtee fire in a hat-trick, with Jeremy Doku also bagging a brace, it was Grealish who pulled the strings at the Etihad on Saturday.
The 29-year-old has come under huge stick from fans and pundits having gone the entirety of last year with finding the back of the net.
It was only earlier in the week that talkSPORT co-host Ally McCoist declared that the player is ‘finished’ under Pep Guardiola.
But after 392 days of waiting and a run stretching 38 games, the England international is finally back on the score sheet for the Citizens.
Grealish was on target from the penalty spot in City’s demolition of local rivals Salford.
Guardiola‘s men had one foot in the fourth round by half-time thanks to first half goals from Doku, who Grealish assisted, as well as Fvin Mubama and Nico O’Reilly.
And just four minutes into the second period, Grealish’s patience was finally rewarded.
The ex-Aston Villa skipper was brought down in the box by Ossama Ashley with the goal gaping, before then stepping up to take the spot-kick himself.
Making no mistake from 12 yards out, Grealish tucked home his effort into the bottom left corner – sending goalkeeper Matty Young the wrong way.
It was his first goal since City’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on December 16, 2023.
Just 13 minutes later and it was 5-0, with McAtee getting in on the rout.
Doku then grabbed his second of the match in the 69th minute, with the Belgian being handed penalty duties by Grealish.
Three minutes after Doku brought up his double, McAtee poked home his second from close range.
And he then completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute after being picked out by Grealish.
In doing so, McAtee has become the first Englishman for City since Robbie Fowler in January 2006 to score an FA Cup treble.
Speaking after the match, he said: “I was quite frustrated in the first half, wasn’t seeing much of the ball.
“When the first one went in, my confidence was up and I kept scoring.
“I’ve been here since I was 10 and it’s a special moment for me. Something I’ll remember forever.
“I don’t think I needed to prove myself but to get out there and show people what I can do, it’s a good moment for me.”
Meanwhile, Grealish’s three goal involvements in the game are more than he managed all season [two] heading into the third round tie.
All attention now will be over who City draw in the fourth round on Sunday as they look to go one better than losing in the final in 2024.