MATCH REPORT: CHELTENHAM TOWN 1-3 MANCHESTER CITY

Photo credit: Shaun Botterill (Getty Images)

Manchester City progress to the FA Cup fifth round with a 3-1 win over a plucky Cheltenham Town.

Pep Guardiola’s men were frustrated for much of the game by the League Two outfit who for a short time looked to be heading for one of the biggest FA Cup upsets of recent times.

Robins’ skipper Ben Tozer was a commanding figure throughout the game and he headed the best chance of the first half, a ferocious Benjamin Mendy strike, over the bar.

The former Newcastle United defender assisted the goal that gave his side a surprise lead on 59 minutes as striker Alfie May poked home a vicious long throw-in that the Citizens’ defence failed to deal with.

A second string but nonetheless strong City starting 11 were frustrated in their attempts to break down the strong unit assembled by Michael Duff’s side until the 81^st minute when Phil Foden volleyed home Joao Cancelo’s cross.

Three minutes later and the difference in quality began to show as Gabriel Jesus took down his compatriot Fernandinho’s ball into the box and thundered in a second strike before Ferran Torres sealed the victory with the last kick of the match.

In spite of the disappointment, Robins manager Michael Duff said he was ‘incredibly proud’ of his team and expressed how crucial the fixture was financially to the club.

“It’s essential,” he added. “Every pound coming in is probably worth a tenner in normal times.”

The Gloucestershire side currently sit seventh in League Two, with promotion still a real possibility at the halfway stage at the season.

Meanwhile Manchester City will face Swansea City in the fifth round and will be hoping for the seventh FA Cup victory come May.