Nico O’Reilly spared Manchester City’s blushes as the teenager’s double inspired a comeback 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fifth round today.
Languishing in the Championship relegation zone, Plymouth had already stunned Premier League leaders Liverpool in the fourth round after eliminating top-flight side Brentford in the previous stage.
Pep Guardiola’s men were in danger of becoming Plymouth’s latest high-profile victims when Maksym Talovierov gave the visitors a surprise lead in the first half at the Etihad Stadium.
But Manchester-born O’Reilly, making just his sixth start for City, emerged as the unlikely hero with a brace that ensured his team avoided their lowest moment in an already turbulent season.
Kevin De Bruyne was also on target for City, who are hoping FA Cup success can salvage a disappointing campaign that sees them fourth in the Premier League and eliminated from both the Champions League and League Cup.
Beaten by Manchester United in last season’s FA Cup final, City are now through to the quarterfinals as they seek to win the competition for the third time under Guardiola.
Guardiola, a long-time admirer of the FA Cup, praised the competition earlier this week, calling it “the most beautiful domestic cup tournament in world football.”
However, the Spaniard still opted to change his entire starting lineup from Wednesday’s Premier League win at Tottenham.
Liverpool had paid the price for fielding a weakened side in their 1-0 loss at Plymouth, and City found themselves in a similarly precarious situation.
Plymouth Take Shock Lead
City forward Phil Foden’s deflected strike trickled just wide before Conor Hazard saved Ilkay Gundogan’s header, as the home side struggled to break down a resolute Plymouth defense.
The visitors sat deep, frustrating City, who were inches away from ending their resistance, when Gundogan struck the post from 10 yards following a precise Jack Grealish cross.
Argyle’s disciplined approach paid off in the 38th minute when Ukraine defender Talovierov rose above a flat-footed City defense to power home a corner, leaving Stefan Ortega helpless as the ball arrowed into the far corner.
City, stunned by the setback, tried to respond immediately. Vitor Reis thumped a header just wide, while Hazard made a fine save to deny De Bruyne’s low drive.
O’Reilly Sparks City Comeback
Just when it seemed Plymouth would take their lead into halftime, O’Reilly dragged City level in first-half stoppage time. The 19-year-old midfielder met De Bruyne’s pin-point free-kick with a glancing header that Hazard got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.
Guardiola sent on Erling Haaland in the second half in a bid to break the deadlock, and City intensified their attack. Foden narrowly missed the target, while De Bruyne saw a curling effort pushed away by Hazard. From the resulting corner, Haaland fired high from close range, squandering a golden opportunity.
Hazard continued to frustrate City, making a brilliant save from Haaland’s shot just two yards out. However, Plymouth’s resistance finally crumbled in the 76th minute.
The goal, tinged with controversy, saw O’Reilly appear to get away with a push on Plymouth’s Jordan Houghton before heading past Hazard from a corner. Despite protests from the Plymouth players, the goal stood, and City took control of the match.
De Bruyne Seals Victory
Plymouth tried to mount a late response but struggled to regain their attacking rhythm. As stoppage time approached, City put the game to bed.
Haaland’s shot was parried by Hazard, but De Bruyne reacted quickest, slotting home the rebound to seal City’s hard-fought victory and secure their place in the quarterfinals.
For Plymouth, it was a valiant effort that nearly resulted in another major FA Cup upset. For City, it was a sigh of relief as they kept their hopes alive for silverware in a difficult season.
