Manchester City qualified for the fourth round of the FA Cup, after James McAtee scored a hat-trick in an 8-0 thrashing of Salford City in League Two at the Etihad Stadium.
Jeremy Doku scored twice, while Jack Grealish ended his long goal drought, and youngsters Devin Mbama and Nico O'Reilly also scored in a one-sided encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
It was a brutal display by a much-changed City side, whose fans relished the beating inflicted on their Class of 92 visitors.
A night to forget for Neville at the Rivals' House
Jack Grealish smiles after the converted penalty kick
Gary Neville, one of that group of famous former Manchester United players, was mercilessly ridiculed as he scored goals.
The England full-back turned pundit and businessman was not physically present to witness the defeat, but teammates Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes were there to see it unfold in excruciating detail from the stands.
Ryan Giggs, the sporting director who also takes on a behind-the-scenes role, was close to the technical area as the biggest match in Salford's history quickly turned sour.
Doku celebrates scoring the first goal against Salford City
City made nine changes to the side that beat West Ham last weekend and took the opportunity to give 20-year-old Mbama a debut and more experience for O'Reilly and 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson Bossy.
Simpson Posey was one of only two specialist defenders in the squad alongside the experienced Nathan Ake, but with a bench of such quality, Pep Guardiola had plenty of insurance in case something went wrong.
However, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden had only to watch as City quickly established control.
Salford City could not cope with Doku's direct running
The hosts took the lead after just eight minutes when Mateus Nunes collected the ball and passed to Grealish who passed the ball wide for Doku to beat Matty Young from a tight angle.
The second goal came 20 minutes later when Savinho played past Nunes and then dropped back for Mobama to score.
Salford had opportunities to respond as City eased the pressure, with Kylian Kouassi shooting at Ederson after a good run and then hitting an excellent cross from Hakim Adelakun.
Makati celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal
Kevin Bercow also snatched an effort but City simply moved through the gears in response.
Doku made his way to the sideline and O'Reilly powerfully scored his first goal for the team before half-time.
Grealish, who has not scored a goal in club football since December 2023, returned to the scoresheet four minutes after the end of the first half.
The England international may have scored from open play after Mbama made a poor back pass to set him up, but he made no mistake from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Osama Ashley.
City's fifth goal came after a smooth move shortly after, as Nunes passed to Doku and Makati crossed the first time brilliantly.
Things quickly started to get out of hand for Salford, who conceded a second penalty when Doku's shot struck captain Curtis Tilt's arm.
This time Doku sent Young the wrong way, and the keeper was beaten again when substitute Foden's ball was well controlled and cleared by McAtee.
McAtee completed his hat-trick nine minutes from time when he converted Grealish's cross.
Player of the match: James McAtee
McAtee's display will have alerted potential suitors
Man City Hat-trick champion James McAtee He told the BBC: “I felt very frustrated in the first half, and I couldn't see much of the ball. When the first ball went in, my confidence increased and I kept scoring.”
“I've been here since I was 10 and this is a special moment for me. Something I'll remember forever. I don't think I need to prove myself but to go out there and show people what I can do, it's a great moment.” A good moment for me.”
Robinson: A glimmer of what we want to be
Salford president Carl Robinson He told the BBC: “You always know you are at the mercy of the quality of the competition.
“Manchester City and Pep have never disrespected anyone and tonight they showed us why they are the way they are and why he is the way he is. It's about dusting ourselves off, we've achieved a lot in 12 months and being where we are now.” In the league.
“We have one goal and that is to get out of this league. This is just a glimmer of where we want to be and we know we have a lot to improve and we know where we want to be.”
