Nico O’Reilly scored a brace as Manchester City came from behind to beat Plymouth Argyle 3-1, MySportDab reports.
In the FA Cup fifth-round match, City overcame a spirited Plymouth side with a victory at the Etihad Stadium, securing their place in the quarter-finals.
Full Match Report
The match began with Plymouth, currently struggling in the Championship, displaying resilience and tactical discipline under manager Miron Muslic.
Their efforts paid off in the 38th minute when defender Maksym Talovierov capitalized on a corner, heading the ball past City’s goalkeeper to give the visitors a surprising lead.
Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, responded promptly by pressing to ensure that they leveled things quickly.
Just before halftime, 19-year-old academy graduate Nico O’Reilly level,ed the score with a well-placed header, easing the tension among the home fans.
The second half saw City asserting their dominance, controlling possession and creating multiple scoring opportunities.
Plymouth’s defense remained resolute until the 75th minute, when O’Reilly struck again with another header, showcasing his aerial prowess and putting City ahead.
As the match neared its conclusion, City’s experience and quality became more evident after some substitutions made by Pep.
In the 89th minute, star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne sealed the victory with a precise finish, bringing the final score to 3-1.
Despite the loss, Plymouth’s performance earned them admiration, especially considering their recent FA Cup journey, which included a notable victory over Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Post-match, Guardiola acknowledged Plymouth’s challenge, while Muslic and goalkeeper Conor Hazard emphasized the significance of their team’s determined display against top-tier opposition.
This victory keeps Manchester City’s hopes for silverware this season alive, as they advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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