Manchester City’s blushes were spared by Nico O’Reilly’s double, which led to a comeback 3-1 victory over giant-killers Plymouth on Saturday in the FA Cup fifth round.
After defeating top-flight side Brentford in the third round, Plymouth had snagged victory in the Championship relegation zone, beating Premier League leaders Liverpool in the fourth round.
When Maksym Talovierov gave the visitors the lead in the first half at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s men ran the risk of becoming Plymouth’s most well-known scalp.
O’Reilly, who was born in Manchester and made his first start for City, turned out to be the unlikely hero with a brace that prevented his troubled team from reaching their worst point of the season.
City, who are hoping FA Cup success can save them from a poor campaign that saw them finish fourth in the Premier League and beleaguered from the Champions League and League Cup, had Kevin De Bruyne on target.
City are now in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after being defeated by Manchester United in the final of last year’s final. They are hoping to win the competition for the third time under Guardiola’s leadership.
Guardiola has never denied his admiration for the FA Cup, saying this week, “No domestic cup competition in world football can compete with its beauty.”
After winning the league match at Tottenham on Wednesday, the Spaniard still changed his starting lineup.
In their 1-0 defeat at Plymouth, Liverpool had already paid the price, and City were also in danger.
Before Conor Hazard saved Ilkay Gundogan’s header, Phil Foden’s deflected strike sailed just wide.
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City Escape
When Gundogan fired ten yards from the spot after Jack Grealish’s cross found the German midfielder, Plymouth sat deep to defy City, who were just inches away from ending their resistance.
Guardiola’s team made headway before falling behind with a 38th-minute sucker punch, which was Argyle’s plan perfectly.
With a superb header that arrowed into the far corner, Stefan Ortega had no chance of getting hurt as Ukraine defender Talovierov rose above the City defense to face a corner.
As shell-shocked City attempted to flee the canvas, Vitor Reis thumped a header just wide.
De Bruyne’s low drive made a good save, but Hazard made a sprawling save with his left.
On the stroke of half-time, O’Reilly sent City level with a glancing header that Hazard could have used but couldn’t keep out of the penalty area after getting a hand to De Bruyne’s pin-point free kick.
In a bid to break the second-half deadlock, Guardiola sent in Foden who fired just wide.
De Bruyne’s curler was pushed away for a corner by Hazard, and Haaland fired a high six-yard shot from the set-piece.
Hazard’s superb save from just two yards prevented Haaland’s shot from the spot, but the brave Plymouth eventually gave up in the 76th minute.
O’Reilly appeared to get away with a push on Jordan Houghton before burying his header past Hazard from a corner, which was a source of controversy.
Hazard saved Haaland’s shot in stoppage time, leaving De Bruyne on hand to finish City’s escape.
Source: Channels TV
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