City 4 Port Vale 1
Jan 4th 2020 att.52,433
FA Cup R 3
A much changed City team moved into the 4th round with a comfortable win over a Port Vale side that managed to keep the score down in the second half. After Zinchenko gave City the lead with a bit of help by a defender Port Vale leveled the scores with a good header by Tom Pope. However soon after Aguero restored City's lead from close range from an assist by Foden. VAR actually liked the goal -what a surprise! We also had a VAR check after a goal by Harwood-Bellis his very first for the club. Initially the flag had gone up for offside but the nearly 18 year old central defender was able to celebrate. Foden who had a good game scored the 4th for City timing his run to put Angelino's cross past a busy Brown into the back of the net. With Foden likely to be David Silva's successor on the left side Phil had to stay more on the right flank. He still played an important part in the win. Nice to see Tommy Doyle come on for the final 20 minutes.
City made 7 changes from the last game which was no surprise. Good to see John Stones and Silva back from injury .
The 8000 visiting fans took over the third tier of the South Stand
In the 1st minute a Burgess shot was deflected by Zinchenko for a corner
An early Stones -Pope clash!
City clear the resulting corner
A header from Foden is saved
Will we ever see anyone look at the VAR screen!
On 20 minutes Zinchenko shoots and scores - magic!
It was his first of the season and I think he enjoyed it!
Then shortly after Silva hits the bar and the ball somehow evades Aguero
On 35 minutes Amoo crossed from the right wing and Pope headed down past Bravo to equal the scores -
surely not disaster time!
The City defence were shocked while the third tier Port Vale fans went mad with delight.
Silva shoots over the bar
just before half time Foden gets in a good cross........
...and some how Aguero manages to get the ball into the net ....hurrah we are back in front......
......well ...maybe.... the crowd and City players were waiting for - yes ......
.....the dreaded VAR - Legge is pointing at Phil Foden
Thank goodness -it's a goal 2-1
A shot from Gundogan is saved and it's soon half time
Aguero shoots over the bar
A Benardo header is saved
Foden has an effort saved by Brown
Foden crosses but a Zinchenko shot goes wide
yet another escape for Port Vale
At a corner the ball is pushed out to Stone
..and his shot is put in the net by Harwood Bellis much to the delight of the North Stand.....
......but the flag had gone up for offside and we had to wait for well over a minute to get the good news - hurrah for VAR
Angelino crosses but straight at the keeper
Another City effort is foiled
A shot from Silva goes just wide
A shot from Gundogan is blocked
On 76 minutes Angelino crosses and Foden is on the ball...
...to shoot past the keeper to make it 4-1 and game over
He celebrates in front of the North Stand and there is no VAR to worry about
Port Vale manage to clear a corner
Mahrez -on for Benardo has a shot saved by Brown
Man-of-the-Match Phil Foden has a shot saved just before full time after a good show by City
team
Bravo 6: Cancelo 7, Stones 7, Harwood-Bellis 7, Angelino 7, Gundogan 7.5 (Doyle), Zinchenko 7, Silva 7.5, Foden 8, Benardo 7 (Mahrez) Aguero 7
