Pope goal not enough to cause clinical City much trouble
Manchester city 4
Zinchenko (20), Aguero (42), Harwood-Bellis (58), Foden (76) port vale 1
Pope (35)
Tom Pope fulfilled a boast to score against John Stones, but could not prevent holders Manchester City easing to victory.
Pope, the veteran Vale striker, claimed in a mocking tweet last summer that he would score 40 a season if he played against City’s Stones every week.
He came good as he cancelled out an Oleksandr Zinchenko strike at the Etihad
Stadium, but the League Two minnows were ultimately outclassed as Sergio Aguero, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Phil Foden netted for the Premier League champions.
Two of City’s goals, for Aguero and Harwood-Bellis, required lengthy VAR checks before being allowed, but neither were controversial.
Stones thought he had levelled up his personal battle with Pope by grabbing City’s third, but it was eventually awarded to Harwood-Bellis.
City manager Pep Guardiola had made seven changes but, with those coming in including Aguero, David Silva and Bernardo Silva, there was no doubting how seriously he was taking the third-round tie.
Stones also returned after a month out with a hamstring injury and all eyes were immediately on him and Pope, who created an early chance for Scott Burgess only for the shot to be deflected wide.
That minor scare over, City settled into their usual rhythm and offered Vale little of the ball.
It came as no surprise when City took the lead after 20 minutes, although Zinchenko’s long-range shot took a big deflection off Leon Legge.
Zinchenko then had another effort diverted wide before Vale, out of the blue, grabbed a shock 35th-minute equaliser.
Once again City’s vulnerability to the counterattack was highlighted as former Liverpool trainee David Amoo broke clear.
Amoo then picked out Pope with a precise cross and, coping well in the spotlight, the 34-year-old stole ahead of
Harwood-Bellis to plant a header past Claudio Bravo.
City responded in clinical fashion as Ilkay Gundogan chipped a pass out wide to Foden, whose volleyed cross was turned in by Aguero.
The third goal came just before the hour and it seemed Stones had struck back against Pope by tucking away from five yards. However, on closer inspection, amid a long VAR check for possible offside, it transpired the ball had gone in off Harwood-Bellis.
City wrapped up the game when Angelino crossed for Foden to add the fourth in the 76th minute.