New Delhi: Manchester City faced Plymouth Argyle in their fifth round clash in the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium. The Cityzens scraped through to the fifth round following a slender 2-1 win over Leyton Orient in the previous round and were taking on the giant killers of the competition. Plymouth, who have been having a torrid campaign down in the Championship, were on somewhat of a dream run in the FA Cup.
The side, formerly managed by City’s main rivals, Manchester United’s legend Wayne Rooney, had knocked out two different Premier League sides in the tournament. They had beaten Brentford in the third round before producing the shock of the tournament as they defeated Liverpool in the previous round to fix this meeting with Manchester City. The Pilgrims were seen as a tricky test for City and they proved it early in the game as they took the lead against the Cityzens.
The visitors had briefly threatened another giant-killing after Maksym Talovyerov’s first-half opener, but City responded through youngster Nico O’Reilly before Kevin De Bruyne wrapped up the win in stoppage time. Manchester City came from behind to defeat Championship side Plymouth Argyle 3-1 in the FA Cup fifth round, with teenage sensation Nico O’Reilly scoring twice to turn the game around.
Plymouth arrived at the Etihad Stadium buoyed by their stunning victory over Liverpool and wasted little time in making their intentions clear. Backed by a vocal travelling contingent of 7,800 fans, the visitors adopted a disciplined, deep defensive shape while looking to exploit opportunities on the counter through Mustapha Bundu. Despite City’s early dominance in possession, it was the Championship side who landed the first major blow.
On the half-hour mark, a floated corner from Matthew Sorinola was met by Talovyerov, who rose highest to head home and send the away fans into raptures. The Ukrainian defender, a January signing from LASK, looked to the skies in celebration, marking a moment that had Argyle dreaming of yet another famous FA Cup scalp. However, City responded with patience, probing for an opening against Plymouth’s resolute backline.
FULL-TIME | Into the #FACup quarter-finals 💪
🩵 3-1 🟢 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/SDcXKFzXDH
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 1, 2025
Jack Grealish and Phil Foden both came close in the opening minutes, while Ilkay Gündogan was denied twice as well, first by Plymouth goalkeeper Conor Hazard and later by the post. With the first half heading into stoppage time, City found their breakthrough. A free-kick from De Bruyne, the architect of so many big moments for City, was whipped into the area with pinpoint accuracy.
O’Reilly, showing the instincts of a seasoned attacker, glanced a header past Hazard to level the scoreline just before the break. It was the 18-year-old’s second goal in senior football after netting against Salford City in January. The second half resumed in similar fashion, with City controlling possession and Plymouth defending deep, hoping to force extra time. Bernardo Silva tested Hazard early on, while Rico Lewis unleashed a spectacular volley that narrowly cleared the bar.
Sensing the need for a more direct attacking presence, Pep Guardiola turned to Erling Haaland just before the hour mark. The Norwegian striker immediately made an impact, finding himself on the end of two dangerous crosses. Though he missed his first opportunity, his mere presence caused panic in the Plymouth defence. The visitors were holding on, with substitute Tymoteusz Puchacz surviving a handball appeal and Hazard producing a stunning double save to deny Haaland and Silva in quick succession.
However, the relentless City pressure eventually broke Plymouth’s resistance. From the resulting corner, O’Reilly once again showed his knack for being in the right place at the right time, heading home his second goal of the night to put City ahead with 14 minutes remaining. Despite their valiant effort, Plymouth had little left in the tank. As they pushed forward in search of an unlikely equalizer, they left gaps at the back, which City ruthlessly exploited.
Haaland, involved again, squared the ball for De Bruyne to tap home from close range in stoppage time, sealing the win and extinguishing Plymouth’s dreams. The result extends City’s remarkable record in the FA Cup, securing a place in the quarter-finals for the seventh consecutive season. Meanwhile, Plymouth can take immense pride in their performance, having already shocked Liverpool in the previous round.
A Star is Born
Nico O’Reilly vs Plymouth Argyle:
2 Goals
90 Touches
65 Accurate Passes
89% Pass Accuracy
8 Passes Into Final Third
4 Touches In Opposition Box
2 Recoveries
2 Shots On Target
1 Clearance
1 Interception
1 Aerial Duel Won
1 Accurate Long Ball pic.twitter.com/fOjyDXD7UL— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) March 1, 2025
While De Bruyne’s leadership and set-piece expertise proved vital, this night belonged to Nico O’Reilly. The academy graduate stepped up on the big stage, scoring two crucial goals to rescue City from a potential upset. His movement, composure, and aerial ability provided a glimpse into a bright future, offering Guardiola yet another option in his star-studded squad.
O’Reilly, playing in an unfamiliar role at left-back, excelled during the clash, proving exactly why he’s so highly rated. The club knocked back an approach from Chelsea for the youngster in the January transfer window, showcasing his rising value at the Etihad stadium. Apart from his two goals, he was always bumbling down the left side, getting 90 touches in the game, with four of them coming in the opposition box as well.
Manchester City were taking on giant killers of the previous round Plymouth Argyle in their fifth round FA Cup fixture, overcoming them late in the second half to book a place in the quarter finals. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
