Manchester City have easily coped without seven coronavirus-infected players in eliminating fourth-tier club Swindon 4-1 to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.
City were still able to deploy a line-up packed with international players including the first three scorers - Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan.
The 19-year-old Cole Palmer grabbed the fourth after Harry McKirdy scored past goalkeeper Zack Steffen to pull one back for Swindon.
With manager Pep Guardiola isolating with COVID-19, assistant coach Rodolfo Borrell led the English Premier League champions.
Palmer set up the opener in the 14th minute, playing the ball into the box which was met at the far post by Silva to tap in.
Swindon were caught unsuccessfully trying to play the ball out from the back, with City winning possession and Kevin De Bruyne playing in Jesus to double the lead in the 28th.
Gundogan curled around the wall and into the bottom corner of the net in the 58th.
City restored their three-goal advantage after McKirdy gave Swindon something to celebrate when Palmer picked up the rebound from Silva's strike and shot into the bottom corner in the 82nd.
Palmer said he hoped Guardiola would have been impressed with his performance.
"I think he (Guardiola) has been in touch with Rodolfo and he's passed it on to us," Palmer told ITV.
"Hopefully he enjoyed it but I've just got to keep working hard and show what I can do day-in and day-out."
Australian Associated Press
