Manchester City advanced to the Emirates FA Cup quarter finals after a 3-1 victory over Miron Muslić’s Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium.
In a spirited performance from the Championship side, who had previously eliminated Premier League sides Brentford and Liverpool in two cup upsets in this year’s competition, they could not keep the quality of the Premier League champions at bay.
Argyle gave their traveling supporters a moment they will not forget, as defender Maksym Talovyerov gave them a shock lead in the 38th minute as he headed home from a corner. Hopes of another upset were given a boost.
However, a great performance from Kevin De Bruyne was the difference for the hosts, as he registered a goal and an assist in a wonderful display in Manchester. Youngster Nico O’Reilly found himself on the scoresheet twice, first from a De Bruyne free kick and then a Phil Foden corner. Right at the end, the Belgian grabbed one of his own to put the contest to bed and send City to the quarter finals.
As it happened
Plymouth Argyle came into the match against the Premier League champions with a horrendous away record, having only won one away fixture all season. But, that came in the Emirates FA Cup third-round against Premier League opposition in Brentford, so they were hoping for history to repeat itself.
As was to be expected, City controlled the beginning of the game, keeping Argyle camped inside their own box. Pep Guardiola’s side fashioned their first real chance of the game courtesy of Foden, who was playing as a makeshift false nine. He came deep to receive the ball and looked to weave past a few Argyle players before a crucial clearance offered City a set-piece. Moments after, he peeled off to the edge of the box to sweep the ball wide of the post via a deflection. City were starting to get into gear.
More chances fell to the home side, as İlkay Gündoğan headed into the grateful arms of Conor Hazard. The midfield maestro was whiskers away from giving City the lead as he lashed an effort onto the post after some quality interplay between Jack Grealish and De Bruyne. This garnered some cheers from the travelling support. However, there would be pandemonium moments later.
In the 38th minute The Pilgrims took a shock lead from their first corner and first effort on goal. Ukrainian centre half Talovyerov rose highest from the inswinging corner and left Stefan Ortega stranded with a towering header into the back of the net. A hat-trick of Premier League giant-killings was on the cards for the Devonshire visitors.
Embed from Getty ImagesCity were now spurred into life and, if not for a world-class fingertip save from Argyle keeper Hazard to deny De Bruyne, they would have been level. Unfortunately for The Pilgrims, they did not reach the safety of the half time whistle.
In first half added time, De Bruyne whipped a free kick into the area and youngster O’Reilly powerfully headed The Citizens level just before the interval. The fingertips of Hazard were unable to stop the ball from nestling in the net this time.
Despite the equaliser, Argyle stuck to their game plan as the home side struggled to fashion clear cut chances. An incisive pass from Gündoğan found Bernardo Silva in space, only for Hazard to close the space and deny the Portuguese midfielder.
Two quick-fire chances fell to the talented Rico Lewis, the first being a well struck first time volley inside the box which just dipped over the bar. Grealish then found his fellow countryman in space even closer to goal, however the fullback ballooned his effort over once more.
This sparked Guardiola into a change. To the dismay of the Argyle supporters – and players – Erling Haaland was introduced into the fold for James McAtee.
Embed from Getty ImagesDe Bruyne had really stepped up in the second period with some sensational deliveries. Firstly, the Belgian lifted a teasing ball into the danger zone, which caused panic amongst The Pilgrims‘ defence that required some last ditch defending to keep the scoreboard level.
Another ridiculous delivery from the City captain forced Hazard to deny the Norwegian gunman from giving the home side the lead with the goal gaping. De Bruyne found Haaland on the stretch at the back post with the whole goal to aim at, but Hazard made himself as big as possible and with a strong right arm, he kept Argyle level. Only a minute later, Argyle’s resolve was finally broken.
After 76 minutes, City were ahead for the first time. Teenager O’Reilly was on hand once more to give his side the goal they craved with another powerful header, this time from a Foden corner, as he peeled off at the back post to plant the ball home. A heroic performance from Muslić’s side had finally run its course and the Premier League champions would go on to kill the game.
Embed from Getty ImagesDe Bruyne capped off an excellent performance with a tap-in provided by substitute Haaland. Gündoğan sent a clever ball in-behind for the striker to chase on the right channel which led to him being one-on-one with Hazard. His effort was saved but the ball fell kindly back to the Norwegian and he unselfishly saw the run of his teammate, picked him out on the penalty spot and De Bruyne did the rest.
After an initial scare, last year’s finalists secured their return to the quarter finals of the FA Cup with a hard fought win. In the end, the cream rose to the top. They’ll return to action on Saturday March 8th with a trip to the City Ground to face high-flying Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
As for Plymouth, their miraculous cup run has finally come to an end, but not without some serious highlights. Wins against Brentford and Liverpool will live long in the memory but, for now, their attention returns to survival in the Championship, a trip to fellow strugglers Hull City their next crucial clash.
The lineups
MCI: Ortega; Lewis, Reis, Aké, O’Reilly; Gündoğan, Silva; Grealish, De Bruyne, McAtee; Foden
PLY: Hazard; Talovyerov, Pleguezuelo, Katić; Mumba, Gyabi, Boateng, Ogbeta; Sorinola, Wright; Bundu