A break from the Premier League saw Manchester City face League Two’s Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup on 23 January 2021. It was the first time the teams had met competitively, and it was a real shame that Covid restrictions meant that fans could not attend this away game for the Blues.
Cheltenham took a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute through Alfie May. A long throw in was followed by Cheltenham’s Charlie Ragland and Will Boyle helping the ball on, before May reacted and poked it home. It was a bit of a jolt to the system, especially as there had been several opportunities for City to take the lead, but the Blues remained resolute. Tactical changes followed and then Joao Cancelo laid the ball on for Phil Foden, who levelled after 81 minutes. Three minutes later Gabriel Jesus scored after a pass from Fernandinho and City were in total control.
Four minutes into added time Ferran Torres made it 3-1, setting the Blues up with a fifth-round trip to Swansea.
Pep Guardiola felt City were always going to win through and when questioned about team selections and formations post-match he commented: ‘I didn’t have regrets even when we were 1-0 down, we had clear chances from the first minute… When they take advantage it gets complicated, but we got it to 1-1 and it was tight. We came here with humility and had the quality to make the difference.’
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