Manchester City Narrowly Defeats Salford City

Premier League champions struggle against lower-league opponent

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, narrowly defeated League Two side Salford City 2-0 in a hard-fought FA Cup match. An early own goal and a late strike were enough to secure the victory, but the performance from the Premier League giants was far from convincing against their lower-league opponents.

Why it matters

The close result against a significantly lower-ranked team raises questions about Manchester City's form and ability to handle the pressure of competing on multiple fronts this season. Salford City's strong showing also highlights the competitiveness of the lower divisions of English football.

The details

Manchester City took an early lead when a Salford City defender inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net in the 12th minute. However, Pep Guardiola's side struggled to break down the well-organized Salford defense for much of the match. It wasn't until the 87th minute that Manchester City finally sealed the victory with a late goal.

  • The own goal that gave Manchester City the lead occurred in the 12th minute.
  • Manchester City's second and final goal came in the 87th minute.

The players

Pep Guardiola

The manager of Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions.

Salford City

A League Two club that put up a strong fight against the Premier League giants.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it would be a tough match, but we should have done better against a lower-league opponent.”

— Pep Guardiola, Manchester City Manager (The Times/The Sunday Times)

What’s next

Manchester City will face a tougher test in the next round of the FA Cup, where they will take on a fellow Premier League team.

The takeaway

Despite the victory, Manchester City's struggle against a lower-league opponent raises concerns about their form and ability to maintain their dominance in the Premier League and cup competitions this season.