Manchester City 5-0 Huddersfield Town: Kevin De Bruyne returns as hosts march into FA Cup fourth round

Phil Foden scored twice as Manchester City cruised into the FA Cup fourth round with a dominant 5-0 rout of Huddersfield Town.

Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku were also on target for Pep Guardiola’s side, who welcomed back Kevin De Bruyne from injury as they recorded their 12th successive home victory in the competition.

Although they dominated the early stages, City had to wait until the 33rd minute to break through as Foden drilled into the far corner, while a delightful move culminated in Alvarez doubling the lead four minutes later.

The hosts made it 3-0 just before the hour mark when Ben Jackson diverted Oscar Bobb’s cross into his own net.

Foden grabbed his second goal in the 65th minute with Sergio Gomez and Mateo Kovacic combining to tee up the England forward, who beat Lee Nicholls with a fine 20-yard strike.

Doku marked his return from injury by volleying in De Bruyne’s cross 16 minutes from time and putting the icing on the cake for City, who will be full of momentum when they resume their quest to chase down Premier League leaders Liverpool away at Newcastle United on Saturday.

On the same day, Huddersfield host Plymouth Argyle in the Championship with Darren Moore's side desperate for a return to form, having now won just one of their last nine matches.

For the first time in 149 days, we saw De Bruyne back on the pitch in a Manchester City shirt. Having sustaining a hamstring injury against Burnley on the opening day of the Premier League season, the midfield maestro was understandably keen to make up for lost time.

Though he did not enter the action until the 57th minute, De Bruyne still registered seven crosses – more than any player throughout the contest. One of those saw him demonstrate his trademark vision and execution to loft a wonderful ball to the far post, where an unmarked Doku volleyed home to complete the rout.

Excelling in the number 10 role once again, Foden took his goal tally for the season into double figures with a very well-taken brace.

The England forward, who is only the player to score in the FA Cup proper in each of the last six seasons, registered a game-high four shots, three of which were on target.

Manchester City: Ortega 6, Akanji 6, Dias 7, Gvardiol 7, Gomez 8, Lewis 7, Kovacic 8, Bobb 8, Foden 9*, Grealish 7, Alvarez 8. Subs: Wright 5, De Bruyne 8, Nunes 7, Hamilton 6, Doku 8.

Huddersfield Town: Nicholls 5, Lees 5, Helik 6, Spencer 5, Matos 6, Rudoni 6, Edmonds-Green 5, Wiles 5, Jackson 5, Thomas 6, Koroma 5. Subs: Iorpenda N/A, Diarra 5, Radulovic 6.

33’ GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Huddersfield Town (Foden): Working the ball into the box, Alvarez finds Foden, who takes a touch towards the six-yard area before firing across Nicholls and into the far corner.

37’ GOAL! Manchester City 2-0 Huddersfield Town (Alvarez): A lovely one-touch move City them into the penalty area and Nunes cuts the ball back for Lewis, whose shot is helped into the net by the well-placed Alvarez.

58’ GOAL! Manchester City 3-0 Huddersfield Town (Jackson OG): Kovacic's long ball towards the penalty area is beautifully controlled by Nunes, who then lays it off for Bobb. The latter's attempted cross towards De Bruyne deflects off Jackson and loops over the helpless Nicholls.

65’ GOAL! Manchester City 4-0 Huddersfield Town (Foden): From a short corner, De Bruyne’s precise throughball finds Gomez. The latter and Kovacic then combine to tee up Foden, who places a brilliant 20-yard shot into Nicholls' bottom-right corner.

74’ GOAL! Manchester City 5-0 Huddersfield Town (Doku): The hosts counter with De Bruyne leading the charge. The Belgian finds Bobb before receiving the return pass and crossing for the unmarked Doku, who drills past Nicholls on the half-volley.

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